I think I have ADD What do I do

My mother was a psych nurse but I guess in the 60s it wasn't so obvious. I'd do things that would make her made. I start cleaning up my room and pick up a doll to put away and then I would start playing with the doll and my room would remain a mess. Anyway what do I do? Who do I see. My employer has an employee assistance program I'm thinking of getting in because I've been suffering an episode of depression for awhile--since the "Great Recession" started. Would they refer me to someone who can help me with ADD? Do I look through the yellow pages and try to find a psychiatrist? Is it expensive to treat?

Although I am not an expert, I'd be tempted to see a therapist first, who could likely arrange for you to be officially tested if your traits indicate that. Psychiatrists just give out medications and would need a diagnosis to start with.

What say you other folks?

I agree with traveling lady. It's strange even for someone severely depressed to play with a doll. There is probably a whole lot of underlying issues contributing to this.

See a therapist but see a psychiatrist as well on the side to see if there's anything he/she can prescribe. The psychiatrist can also give you a basic mental evaluation. If you are being prescribed a benzo, Effexor or something like that just say no until you get a better grasp on what you are dealing with.

And yes, treating ADHD is extremely expensive for most people if they don't have insurance.

From my experience not every doc is the same. I just went to a new pdoc and told him I wanted to be tested or evaluated for ADD/adhd bc my last pdoc didn't test me just prescribed meds. He said no he won't bc I know he didn't want to bother with it. Thanks a whole lot doc for nothing! I tell u how i feel and you dont do anything to help! I'm determined to find a good doc that's willling to take sometime to listen and figure out whats best for me and what works best. Seeing a doc all depends on what type of insurance u have. If u don't have insurance shop around for the best out of pocket price some will work with u if u don't have coverage. Before i had insurance i found a doc that was working w me and prescribing the least expensive meds.

[quote=Anonymous33445;3631644]I agree with traveling lady. It's strange even for someone severely depressed to play with a doll. There is probably a whole lot of underlying issues contributing to this.

I don't play with dolls now. when I was a child and my mother told me to clean my room and I'd pick up a doll and instead of putting the doll away I'd play with it. I don't think it's that strange for a 9 or 10 year old to play with a doll--maybe it is now but in the 1960s it was fairly normal for a child to do that.

Are your symptoms interfering with your ability to function in life right now? A messy room as a child is not a red flag for ADD. It actually sounds like something any child would do- disobey because they would rather play with a doll as opposed to cleaning their room. Some doctors are quick (possibly too quick) to diagnose ADD and prescribe medication. I suggest you find a qualified specialist- a psychiatrist or a neuropsychologist- who is able to do a full evaluation for ADD. A thorough evaluation will take a few hours and may even include computerized tests and other puzzles and stuff to test memory, impulsivity, etc.

As for treatment, I've found ADD medication to be quite expensive if its name brand. Most medications come as generic forms now and are a great deal cheaper but I've found them to be less effective. It depends on the individual though- you may not even notice a difference.

Anyway, I would begin with getting a good referral- possibly from your GP.

Why is it strange for a depressed 9-year-old to play with a doll? Or weren't girls supposed to be playing with dolls in the 1960s?

Only an expert can diagnose what your problem might be.