If this has been covered, excuse me, as I don't visit a whole lot.
How does one go about finding a doctor for treating ADD?
I used to have a 'connection' to help with this, but have been less than happy with the results. In the span of less than three years, I went thru 5 doctors, not because I was unhappy with them, but because they 'moved on' (transferred, moved out of state, etc). ANNOYING to say the least. The last doctor I was seeing, saw me 'on the side' since I didn't have insurance at the time, but he too 'moved on' (however, without warning, just gone).
Is this a common problem with the treatment of ADD?
I've been trying to seek out advice/help online as I don't have time during the day to be on the phone for any length. Support groups (locally) I've come across has been mostly focused on kids, emails for suggestions have gone unanswered.
Am I just asking the wrong questions, or just flat going about this wrong?
Any suggestions/tips/advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I have moved around a lot recently, so I had to do quite a bit of doc finding. Basically I call ahead and ask the receptionist/leave a message. Does the doctor treat adult ADHD and prescribe stimulant medications to adults? That tends to rule out quite a few - although not as many as it used to when I was first diagnosed. But there is nothing worse than going to a doc who doesn't treat your problem. Grrr.
When I lived in a really small community, I ended up seeing a childrens psychiatrist because the ones who treated adults wouldn't dx/rx for adult ADHD.
If you have a hard time finding one, call the kiddie shrink for a phone number of someone who treats adult ADHD and rx stimulant meds. (be sure they do both - had one try to treat me with anti-depressants). HELLO, not depressed when I can pay attention!
Good luck
Reisa
Try www.chadd.org. Find the nearest chapter and ask the members for a list. This is pretty much the only legit organization for ADHD in adults and kids. They have their act together. Please check them out.
Barring that - call your nearest teaching hospital as they have the resources at their fingertips. Just find someone - sooner the better.