Need advice: obtaining a diagnosis | ADHD Information

Ok, I need some advice here.

I got the info packet from the psychologist today.  A full test for ADD is to the tune of 00.  I looked online and that's not even the higher end of pricing for that test!

My insurance will pay 50% after the deductable of 00.  In other words, I would have to pay 00, which is almost my entire savings.  (I am not a wealthy person... hell, my car is on its last legs to boot as well)

That's a *lot* of money to me.   Further, that doesn't even include treatment.  From what I understand the medication costs ~/month, and subsequent office visits are 0.  And that's not even counting therapy, I'm not sure I want to know how much that costs.

So, that's 00 upfront, then /month for the meds + 0/month for followups (my understanding is that followups are required since the medication is deemed too addictive to have refills permitted?).  That's a lot of cash.

Is there any other way to get a diagnosis other than that 00 test?  I'm just not sure I can afford the tests and treatment.

Can a normal GP doctor test or prescribe anything?  Should I be seeing one of those instead of a psychologist?

I don't know what to do.  I really want to get help for my problems but I don't want to go broke in the process.
Yes.  A regular family dr can prescribe you medication

*Randomuser*

If you are near a public university contact them and ask if they have a psychology clinic - this is where grad students do their work at. This is how I got diagnosed and they base it on your income - I am a student w/ a part time job so my income is very very low - it only cost me 150.00 to get tested!

The grad students do the testing and then the head psychiatrist in the clinic ( a professional) reviews the scores, talks to the grad student about you and makes a decision himself -

You should really look in to this instead of just going to a regular physician b/c there may be more then adhd and also with the tests you take you find out a lot about your brain and what methods work best for learning etc.

Best of luck!

I'm glad you called, hopefully they can do it!

I am not sure what treatments they offer b/c every where is different - I know that at the clinic I went to which is at the univ. of NC at Greensboro - they just did the testing and refered you to like the office of disabilities for further "help" so they could probably refer you to some counselor in the area because they do not just deal with students in the clinic.

Also, at my clinic they have a psychiatrist that comes once a week, typically, after you are diagnosed they set you up an appt. with her that is also based on your income - it cost me 7.50/30mins which is really good - that doc is one that talks to you about medication options etc.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Ok, thanks.  I called my local university's psychological clinic as you suggested, and they weren't sure if they could test for ADD (I just got some student there), but she was going to contact her supervisor and get back to me.  If they can test for it, do you know what kind of treatment options they offer?  Are they allowed to prescribe medicine, etc?

Thanks.
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