Hi Erin,
I agree with Marko - ESPECIALLY if you have a recommendation from a friend. You may want to verify that this psychiatrist (or any other you may see) has experience treating Adult ADHD. I lucked out because I picked mine somewhat randomly and he does understand ADHD and is not afraid to prescribe the meds that I may need. However, there are a lot of people who have had to go through multiple docs to find someone with a brain (oops....did I say that??).
My husband goes to our GP for his ADHD. Our GP DOES have a brain and so he is managing my husband well. I chose a psychiatrist because I have co-morbid issues and history and just thought I should go to an "expert".
Good luck!
Hi all,
I'm a 24 year old female and am pretty sure I have ADD. While still in school, strict deadlines and well defined consequences sort of forced me to cope with my symptoms and get things done even if it was at the last minute or not quality work. Now that I'm out on my own I can't seem to get myself together to move my career forward, keep my aparment organized or even make plans with friends and live a normal life. I can never sit still and I can't even watch a movie all the way through without going to do something else. I need to get tested.
My question is- what is the best way of going about this? Should I make an appointment with a general practitioner (I don't actually have one since I'm new to the city) and have them refer me to a psychiatrist? Or should I just make an appointment with a psychiatrist recommended by a friend? I have great insurance at my job so that part is thankfully not an issue.
Any help on how to take this next step will be greatly appreciated!
Hello Erin. I would choose to see a psychiatrist. There knowledge is centered in the the type of treatment you are seeking. If I have a flat tire or a dent or a general mechanical problem, I can go to a general mechanic with confidence in their ability to do their job. But if the various electronic circuits and devices that are the brain of my car needs service I must find a reputable shop to perform that work. The last thing you want to do is to diagnose yourself. It turns out there are many diseases and disabilities that share simmular symptoms and new ones being discovered all the time. And in cases such as mine, I tended to diagnose most of my ailments myself by studying for hours on the internet. Needless to say I had a fool for a doctor. Then I would go to general clinics with weak willed or plain uncaring 'only in it for the money' type doctor who allows smart asses like me to tell them where it hurts, what I need to fix it.... then go home and chemicaly alter my state to just south of sanity. I hope you find a solution, good luck.
Marko the KIDD