HI,
I NOW USE A PYSCHOLOGIST, HE BASICALLY TREATS ADHD PATIENTS. AFTER DIAGNOSIS HE HAS TREATED ME AND BOTH MY SONS. HE REALLY HELPS US BY TEACHING US WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE ADHD BECAUSE IT WILL NOT GO AWAY, AND THE IMPORTANT THING IS MEDS CAN HELP BUT BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IS IMPOTANT TOO. I REALLY THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE PYSCOL OR PYSCHIATRIST AND HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE.
SCATS
I think they are basically the same thing.Only one is qualified to treat with medication.Or at least prescribe medication.The first to suggest I was ADHD was a marriage councelor.Then my regular family M.D who agreed got me started on Adderall xr which has been a great help in my life.I dont understand all the testing?I never had to do any of that.It was quite obvious all my life that I was hyper, low attention span ect.Hope you can get it all straight and improve because I'm living proof that meds can help regarless of how you get them or who prescribes them.Good luck I hope I was helpful. Shane
First of all let me just say how grateful I am for the internet and that I was able to find this message board. I am 31 years old and last year I was diagnosed with ADHD. Apparently it had gone undetected for most my life. I have seen a lot of you guys criticise adderol and I think you all have valid points, but to me the world is completely different now. My days start with a direction now... well more of one anyway.
Anyway, I would like to ask you guys a question. How many of you have used psychologists as well as psychiatrists for treatment...or instead of psychiatrists for that matter. The reason I ask is I recently got the chance to go to meet with someone who told me that with treatment, I could get better or to the point where ....hmm. I think she said something about there's no cure, but treatment could provide me with a better clarity in my daily routine. Can anyone fill me in on what I am in for here? I have only met with her clinic once since and all they did for 2 hours was make me feel stupid with inane testing. And the next time I go, I'm told they will be doing another 2 hours of testing. Whoopie! More number countings I can't do I suppose. I don't know. It seems frustrating and pointless. If anyone could provide me with a little more clarity, I would greatly appretiate it because so far it has not been what I expected. And these tests are pissing me off.
In Canada the BIG difference is that the government health insurance will pay for you to see a psychiatrist, but not a psychologist. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, psychologists can't.I see both, just started actually.
Part of the reason it's a good idea to see a psychologist for Adult AD/HD is because there are a lot of things you've dealt with in your life without knowing you had ADHD and that might results in things like low self-esteem, low self-worth, anxiety, etc.
I also am a huge believer in cognitive behavioral therapy and learned behavior modification. We have more power over our minds than we give ourselves credit, and finding simple routines that work with us so we can work with them will help.
Because I didn't know I had ADHD, I spent probably the last 10 years making my own routines and systems so I could just get through life without popping my head off. Things that work for non-ADDers aren't necessarily going to work for us, so it's good to have someone who specializes and is aware of ADD characteristics.
Most importantly, be patient with yourself, nothing happens overnight.