Well they're not actually trying to give you a score out of 100 or difficult questions like a maths test. It's more of an evaluation than a test. They're trying to look at how your brain functions when you are trying to focus on something.
My test included a questionaire, a qEEG test where they put electrodes on your head and get a graph of the brainwaves produced, and a psychologist interview. It was quite interesting and fun. The tasks were very basic, just pressing a button when you heard a sound. By making the tasks as easy and boring as possible you are much more likely to lose focus, start daydreaming about something else, and give them a good reading. All I could think was 'gee, this is really boring!'
Well.... the idea is to find out whether or not you can stay focused during such a thing.
You don't need an actual MD Psychiatrist to test and
diagnose you. A PHD with the proper education can test and diagnose you as
well. However, you do need to be under the care of a Psychiatrist in order to
be prescribed traditional medication. That is where the need for insurance
comes in.
I had three appointments with my PHD. The first one was with my wife in
attendance. He asked me questions about myself with a time line of as far back
as I could remember up until present day.
The second appointment was the actual battery of tests. I seem to remember them
taking about three or four hours.
The third appointment was about two or three weeks later. The DR (PHD) needs
time to properly evaluate the test results and it took about an hour and a half
to two hours to cover everything including all the questions my wife and I had
for him.
Remember, a PHD will cost far less for the testing procedure. The MD you choose
for treatment will usually accept the information provided by the PHD tester
unless their is a problem with the reputation of the PHD. I had two different
MD's for treatment and medication and they both knew and respected my PHD as
well as his testing procedures used on me.
Hey Zorg thanks for replying. I know i didn't have to go to a psychiatrist at first but his guy was recomended by my brother's psychologist.
I agree 3-4 hours for testing is going to be rough. I think anyone with or without ADD will have trouble with that though. I even have trouble sitting through regular tests in school so those tests aren't going to be fun.
I Have my first appoinment with a psychiatrist on friday and I was wondering what I can expect. I have read that it takes awhile before getting an actual diagnoses. I was also wondering about the testing. Is it always the same thing. it sounds like it takes along time, something I am kindof worried about because one of my problems is staying focused while taking a test.I posted this after reading RandomUser's entry about his/her experience and was wondering if the is normaly how it goes or if other people experienced something thing different.
-Emily-