Quote:
Originally Posted by kimmydawn
Hi there and welcome!
You ask some very good questions. I guess you might contact the VA about getting a referral to a psychiatrist? That might be a place to start there.
HOWEVER, if you don't want to go the VA route (which I don't know that I would), you can contact your local human services department in your county/state and ask for the number to the community mental health services. Most counties in the US offer community mental health centers where services are offered people according to income (if no/little income, no charge). You can get an appt. there with a counselor who can make the recommendation for their psychiatrist. 
I wish you more than well. You're not alone.
Again, welcome.
KD |
Good advice, and I agree that the VA is probably not the best place to go for ADHD (or any mental health issue, IMO). The community mental health center in my area actually has psychiatrists, psychologists, and other licensed mental health counselors, and a referral from a psychologist/counselor to a psychiatrist isn't necessary. Psychologists are best in diagnosing adult ADHD as they have more training in neuropsychological testing and ADHD assessment (usually), but I'd make sure before I saw any of them just what exactly their experience with adult ADHD was before I spent significant time with them. Also, not everyone needs medication, and if you go to a psychiatrist that is usually their sole treatment modality.
He'd probably get better luck at a community mental health center, but I would still only recommend that as short term--they aren't the best either. Hopefully he can get some job leads that have a nice insurance package. Many places like to hire veterans---and those companies usually have good insurance.
