The diagnostic process varies by doc. Especially with kids, they can do lots of tests looking for other learning disorders and need to sort out posible co-existing conditions common with ADHD. Some will give you conner's or other forms for those around you to fiil out, observe you during your appointments and take your history (school grade and hevavior). If there is a suspission of co-existing problems then the diagnosis can get more compicated. It will aslo depend whether the doc thinks you are seeking drugs for abuse (this is not due to you, but the doc's past experience with previous patients).
Some docs will give you a low dose ritalin to see how you respond. It is an older way to confirm ADHD, but is not much used any more.
If you are diagnosed and are placed on stimulants, you will need regular appointments during the search for the right med, dose and dosing schedule. Then the appointments may be monthly to every 3 months for med management. These meds are controlled substances and are regulated as such, and the doc needs to monitor you for maximal effect with minimal side effects.
If you are first precsribed strattera or a second line med such as an antidepressant, you will go in regularly until you are at the right med and dose, then not so often. These meds are not controlled substances, but have to be monitored for your safety.
This is really going to depend on the doc. A psychiatrist will follow you closely and have more experience with med managment. A family doc may send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for diagnosis and then manage meds as long as the diagnosis is simple and the first med or so works without complicating issues.
Good luck on this journey.
[/QUOTE]The diagnostic process varies by doc. Especially with kids, they can do lots of tests looking for other learning disorders and need to sort out posible co-existing conditions common with ADHD. Some will give you conner's or other forms for those around you to fiil out, observe you during your appointments and take your history (school grade and hevavior). If there is a suspission of co-existing problems then the diagnosis can get more compicated. It will aslo depend whether the doc thinks you are seeking drugs for abuse (this is not due to you, but the doc's past experience with previous patients).
Some docs will give you a low dose ritalin to see how you respond. It is an older way to confirm ADHD, but is not much used any more.
If you are diagnosed and are placed on stimulants, you will need regular appointments during the search for the right med, dose and dosing schedule. Then the appointments may be monthly to every 3 months for med management. These meds are controlled substances and are regulated as such, and the doc needs to monitor you for maximal effect with minimal side effects.
If you are first precsribed strattera or a second line med such as an antidepressant, you will go in regularly until you are at the right med and dose, then not so often. These meds are not controlled substances, but have to be monitored for your safety.
This is really going to depend on the doc. A psychiatrist will follow you closely and have more experience with med managment. A family doc may send you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for diagnosis and then manage meds as long as the diagnosis is simple and the first med or so works without complicating issues.
Good luck on this journey.
I got diagnosed about 11/2 years ago, after I started to suspect that I had it after my daughter was diagnosed. I talked to our family doctor about it, but he wanted me to be tested by a psychologist before prescribing meds. The psychologist gave me a conor scale to fill out, and also one for my husband to fill out about what symptoms that he had observed me having. I think that we had to pay out of pocket for these. She also had me take a test during which I had to set in front of a computer screen, which was black except for little letters in a small white frame that popped up onto it. I had to click the space bar for each letter besides the X. It's very hard not to click on the X! It measures impulsivity, among several other things. Although I'm not sure how much this cost, it was covered by insurance.
It seems as if one person posted on this forum recently that she had just taken an online test and took the results to discuss with her MD in order to get diagnosed. This is something that you might try. There are a number of online tests that seem to be pretty accurate.
Welcome to both new posters.
Xtreme,
start with your primary care phsycian and go from there. everyone's situation is different. You want a good diagnosis before you just start taking meds as many things can mimic ADHD. Even simple things like too much caffeine or anxiety issues. If it is not ADHD then meds could make your sympotms worse. If you can find an on-line assessment to bring I think that will be helpful.
yargabarga,
Please be open minded as far as meds go. Adderall does NOT work for everyone. No drug works for everyone. I dont think there are any "crappy drugs" just that they dont work for that particular person. Most people have to spend a perido of time adjusting different meds at different dosgaes to find what works for them. Good luck and keep us posted. We all learn from each other.