[sremed]

I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 41 years old. That was 2001, (I'm 52 now). I didn't know much about it back then and didn't take it too seriously until a few years ago. When I was growing up no one ever heard of ADHD. I was raised to take responsibility for my actions, be accountable, don't make excuses, be strong - not weak, don't play the victim role, and all that.

Around the time I hit 50 I started noticing my concentration was getting worse. It was never that good to begin with, but it was really getting out of hand. So I figured I'd start looking into the ADHD thing and see if there was anything to it.

Since then I've educated myself quite a bit on the subject. It's made sense out of so many things I experienced throughout my life that I just blew off as isolated issues, and answered millions of questions for me.

So I started looking for help, and that's proven to be more frustrating than the symptoms. I can find truckloads of information from all kinds of experts telling me what ADHD is: theories about causes, neirological theories, biological theories, genetic studies, this theory, that theory. And yet, I still can't read an entire page of a book at one time. I've been to three different psychiatrists, (as well as my primary physicians). I've been prescribed every medication there is, (even fish oil tablets). But so far none of them have seemed to know much about it, or else they don't take it seriously. Some have even seemed just as skeptical as I used to be.

The psychiatrist I went to for the first time last week told me Aderall was the only medication that really worked. I told him I tried it and it didn't work for me, but he prescribed it anyway. He handed me a book from his book shelf and said, "I just read this, it's the latest and greatest information available on the subject." It was Understanding and Treating Adults With ADHD, written by Brian B. Doyle in 2006.

When I try to google to find someone who specializes in Adult ADHD, I get page after page of irrelevant articles or websites explaining what ADHD is. I KNOW what it is.

Any tips on how to find a psychiatrist who understands this?

[Edge11]

Hi sremed, Welcome to Pc... I was diagnosed ADHD yesterday and my psych gave me (Vyvanse). She said I lasted longer and was non-addictive...I'm also on Bi-polar meds... I won't start taking it until tommorow... I'll let you know if it works.....

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by sremed

The psychiatrist I went to for the first time last week told me Aderall was the only medication that really worked... Any tips on how to find a psychiatrist who understands this?

Your psychiatrist's statement about Adderall shows he has limited understanding. If you can find a psychologist or therapist who specializes in treating adults with ADHD, they can probably direct you to a good psychiatrist for prescribing.

Also, try this site:
http://www.chadd.org/

They are a support and advocacy organization for ADHD and have local meetings in a number of cities. You might be able to get information through your local branch about prescribers in your area. You might also find some support there! The website also has a directory of providers, broken down by state and country. For my area, several providers specializing in Adult ADHD are listed.

Good luck.

[sremed]

Thanks for the suggestions. Some of it is due to other limitations: distance, whether they accept my insurance, (or whether my insurance accepts them). There is an ADHD clinic here that specializes in ADHD treatment, but the only treatment they offer is biofeedback (EEG). It's extremely expensive and, so far, I don't know of any insurance companies cover it because it is considered "experimental."

I'll keep plugging away. It gets frustrating because when you make an appointment with someone it's usually 3 or 4 weeks before you can get in to see them. That's 3 or 4 weeks of just waiting. When you finally get in to see them, sometimes it becomes apparent after 1 visit that they're not going to help - sometimes it takes 2, 3 or 4 visits before you realize they're just "flying blind" just trying to find a medication or a dose that works, (without much attention to any other treatment).

Either way, a lot of time has gone by just trying to find a "good doctor". And here I am, 2 years later, no further ahead than I was 2 years ago.

Just venting

Hey sremed...'evening! Access to bigger metropolitan areas increase your odds of finding better docs if that's of any help. Even an hour or two drive might be worth it if consequent appointments to regulate dosages and general checking up on your situation isn't too frequent.

I find that around here that once one is on a med., a general checkup is every month or so starting off and then tapers down if the med is working. An hour or two isn't that bad a trip and completely worth any inconvenience if the guy is worth his salt.