Intro & Doctor Resource Query (NYC area)
I was busy trying to find a new doctor to call when I found this forum. I
thought I might register so I could compare notes as well as ask if anyone
could point me in a direction to find a psychiatrist in New York that works
with adult ADHD clients.
Brief Litany: I am a handsome 27 year old male. I've been "diagnosed"
for about five years and after a year of psychotherapy started taking
adderall. I am not hyperactive -- rather I am a constant doodler, fidgeter,
hair twirling beard puller with fears of paying bills on time. I am the
consumate absent minded professor -- able to hyper focus for hours on
end on arcane projects but unable to show up to appointments.
I am a bit incensed at the doctors I have seen for this condition. Each has
given me different dosages and different instructions. To be frank, I find
the whole process incredibly demeaning. My current doctor is not
returning my calls because of a missed appointment which I find more
than ridiculous. You would think he would understand. And in
between doctors, I have been off a medication that I was reluctant to take
and still harbor deep reservations about for several weeks, and now must
grovel around to find a new supplier. A lot of these doctors act like
pushers.
Furthermore, the diagnosis for ADD/ADHD seems to cover a broad range
of symptoms that are not well understood -- and it is not well
understood why many of these medications work at all. As I said earlier, I
have had three doctors, three different doses and three different
directions. When I explained to my last doctor that I was comfortable
with my dosing (I now have steady job, a girlfriend and am in school) after
five
years of finding what worked for me, he wanted to change the dosage. I
told him I was uncomfortable with that and in a moment of honesty, told
him I resented the notion of having to do a monthly "therapy" session
with him just to get the medication. (I have a therapist who I see weekly.)
In any event, a (possibly subconsciously) missed appointment later and I
am out of doctor. Now finding myself forced to start the whole damn
process over again -- endless paperwork, endless litanies, re-
affirmations of my condition. Its all just such a mind-f*ck. Whats worse
was I was finally puting all together -- Im in school, with a sweet girl and
doing work that I love. Its all so tenuous, resting, in part, upon my ability
to procure medication I debate every day if it is right if I should take.
In any event, sorry about the length, I just wanted to see if anybody could
help me find a not crazy doctor in the NEW YORK CITY AREA. Hopefully
some of you can commiserate with my experiences or maybe some of this
is a good flame to start a discussion. To be brief, hello!
Should have known that the ADD fam wouldnt read something so long. STILL NEED A DOCTOR IN NEW YORK. PLEASE HALP.
Former apartment
Ha ha ha--the apartment looks like mine. Right now there are boards everywhere with drying gesso
I was busy trying to find a new doctor to call when I found this forum. I
thought I might register so I could compare notes as well as ask if anyone
could point me in a direction to find a psychiatrist in New York that works
with adult ADHD clients.
Brief Litany: I am a handsome 27 year old male. I've been "diagnosed"
for about five years and after a year of psychotherapy started taking
adderall. I am not hyperactive -- rather I am a constant doodler, fidgeter,
hair twirling beard puller with fears of paying bills on time. I am the
consumate absent minded professor -- able to hyper focus for hours on
end on arcane projects but unable to show up to appointments.
Many of us have soooooo been there. I am supposed to be packing my house to move but here I am--gessoing a bunch of boards and studying Vlad Tepes for a story I may never write. How much sense does that make?
I am a bit incensed at the doctors I have seen for this condition. Each has
given me different dosages and different instructions. To be frank, I find
the whole process incredibly demeaning. My current doctor is not
returning my calls because of a missed appointment which I find more
than ridiculous. You would think he would understand. And in
between doctors, I have been off a medication that I was reluctant to take
and still harbor deep reservations about for several weeks, and now must
grovel around to find a new supplier. A lot of these doctors act like
pushers.
Having worked in medical care--I can tell you that 80% want the cash and 20% actually give a spit. My advice is interview your health care provider as carefully as s/he interviews YOU. I presently have a great GP because I was very fussy. Only doc I've ever had that says, "You research xyz medication. Make an informed decision when we meet next week. If you think it's okay--I'll prescribe it." If I could find a psych with that attitude--we'd be in business!
Furthermore, the diagnosis for ADD/ADHD seems to cover a broad range
of symptoms that are not well understood -- and it is not well
understood why many of these medications work at all.
Research, research research. Also, I prefer the European DSM because it isn't based on what the HMO's will or will not, pay for. Check it out.
As I said earlier, I
have had three doctors, three different doses and three different
directions. When I explained to my last doctor that I was comfortable
with my dosing (I now have steady job, a girlfriend and am in school) after
five
years of finding what worked for me, he wanted to change the dosage. I
told him I was uncomfortable with that and in a moment of honesty, told
him I resented the notion of having to do a monthly "therapy" session
with him just to get the medication. (I have a therapist who I see weekly.)
In any event, a (possibly subconsciously) missed appointment later and I
am out of doctor.
Call his office. Ask what is going on and that if he isn't going to see you he needs to make a referral to someone else. In Canada he can be considered neglectful if he doesn't provide one. In the USA [shrug] I don't know.
Now finding myself forced to start the whole damn
process over again -- endless paperwork, endless litanies, re-
affirmations of my condition. Its all just such a mind-f*ck. Whats worse
was I was finally puting all together -- Im in school, with a sweet girl and
doing work that I love. Its all so tenuous, resting, in part, upon my ability
to procure medication I debate every day if it is right if I should take.
We all have that running arguement going in our heads. Most of my life I have been unmedicated because I could overcompensate and hate the sensation of medications. Right now, it's not working so I have to try something else.
I understand your anti-med feeling but if your life improved that much on it--you're a good candidate. Consider your needs first, anyone making a judgment doesn't have to live your life.
In any event, sorry about the length, I just wanted to see if anybody could
help me find a not crazy doctor in the NEW YORK CITY AREA. Hopefully
some of you can commiserate with my experiences or maybe some of this
is a good flame to start a discussion. To be brief, hello!
I hope someone from NY gets hold of you! Good luck!
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