[QUOTE=Reizende]I currenetly don't have health insurance because its too expensive at work. If anyone can suggest a place to obtain free ADD testing (where I live its free for KIDS but not adults), or low cost. I usually go to walk-in clinics when I need health care, but I never heard of walk-in psychiatry.[/QUOTE]
I think there are places with sliding fee scales for people without insurance in my area.
Fantastic Suzanne, it's great you are getting somewhere finally!
I too went to my family doctor who I've been seeing since I was a baby (25years). She's never picked this up before, but as soon as I mentioned difficulty with concentrating and procrastination she straight away said ADD.
Sometimes I go to another doctor at the same clinic for minor things, like a prescription refill, if I can't get an appointment with my family doctor and it is so frustrating. I have to spent the whole time explaining my life story to them. They want to know why I went to see a neurologist recently, did I have a stroke or something?
And all I want is a refill for the pill, my family doctor would give it to me straight away. It's really hard when the doctor doesnt know you, they form opinions about you, like, do you want ritalin because you are a drug dealer.
Reizende, I'd really LOVE some walk in psychiatry. I'm currently paying 0 an hour, and I don't have money for anything else!
I do know in australia our social security offer a couselling program if you are a jobseeker. It's not widely advertised though, so there might be something like that in USA. You would have to research.
I got fed up with my shrink and my ADD evaluator who both were in denial about my ADD.
So I went to my family doctor who has been seeing our family for 10 years - and he knew I had checked in with a psychiatrist - but despite their view, he said that I did have the components for ADD and especially since my anti-D wasn't helping me it had to be something else.
I left his office with a prescription for Adderall. He started me on a low dose just to see what would happen - 20 mg. XR.
Within 1/2 hour I had better focussing ability and I felt much calmer. I would say I feel about 70 % better and am really optomistic now.
It really does pay to stick with the same doctor. He has seen me in all different states over the years, especially when I used to come in frantic with my young kids.
I still have further to go, but at least now I know I'm chasing the right illness.
Now it's time for living well - good food, rest, exercise, spirituality, family, friends and knowing and accepting my limitations.
What a journey this is.
Buzz/Suzanne
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