[eina]

I have struggled with severe brain fog and cognitive difficulties for many years. Everyone always put it down to anxiety and depression, and while it gets worse when I do poorly it doesn't really get better when I start to improve. I can't drive, work, finish school, maintain hobbies or relationships or even keep up with chores, my life in at a stand still. It's like my brain is in pieces and nothing is organized and every time I want to remember or do something I have to shuffle through everything else to find it, I feel constantly overwhelmed and unbalanced. Sometimes I'll do well with something for awhile- usually something more physical and structured like a weekly laundry schedule or an organizational project- I'll keep up with it and do an excellent job despite feeling scattered, but once I get past the initial rush of a new project I seriously struggle to stay on task no matter how badly I want to. I just fall apart.

I was in contact with a highly rated neuropsych doctor in my area who does comprehensive cognitive testing who thought I really needed an evaluation for ADHD and/or underlying cognitive issues. We sent in a request to my insurance, but they denied it. I sent in an appeal and just learned that they denied that as well. Apparently they don't touch anything related to diagnosing ADHD. The testing will be at least $1400 out of pocket, possibly closer to $2400. We can't afford that. I don't know what else to do, I feel like this was my only option and I just can't live like this anymore. I'm devastated.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What can I do?

[xiare]

Originally Posted by eina

I have struggled with severe brain fog and cognitive difficulties for many years. Everyone always put it down to anxiety and depression, and while it gets worse when I do poorly it doesn't really get better when I start to improve. I can't drive, work, finish school, maintain hobbies or relationships or even keep up with chores, my life in at a stand still. It's like my brain is in pieces and nothing is organized and every time I want to remember or do something I have to shuffle through everything else to find it, I feel constantly overwhelmed and unbalanced. Sometimes I'll do well with something for awhile- usually something more physical and structured like a weekly laundry schedule or an organizational project- I'll keep up with it and do an excellent job despite feeling scattered, but once I get past the initial rush of a new project I seriously struggle to stay on task no matter how badly I want to. I just fall apart.

I was in contact with a highly rated neuropsych doctor in my area who does comprehensive cognitive testing who thought I really needed an evaluation for ADHD and/or underlying cognitive issues. We sent in a request to my insurance, but they denied it. I sent in an appeal and just learned that they denied that as well. Apparently they don't touch anything related to diagnosing ADHD. The testing will be at least $1400 out of pocket, possibly closer to $2400. We can't afford that. I don't know what else to do, I feel like this was my only option and I just can't live like this anymore. I'm devastated.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What can I do?

Can't you get ADHD testing done without seeing a neuropath?

[alwaysin6thgear]

Originally Posted by eina

I have struggled with severe brain fog and cognitive difficulties for many years. Everyone always put it down to anxiety and depression, and while it gets worse when I do poorly it doesn't really get better when I start to improve. I can't drive, work, finish school, maintain hobbies or relationships or even keep up with chores, my life in at a stand still. It's like my brain is in pieces and nothing is organized and every time I want to remember or do something I have to shuffle through everything else to find it, I feel constantly overwhelmed and unbalanced. Sometimes I'll do well with something for awhile- usually something more physical and structured like a weekly laundry schedule or an organizational project- I'll keep up with it and do an excellent job despite feeling scattered, but once I get past the initial rush of a new project I seriously struggle to stay on task no matter how badly I want to. I just fall apart.

I was in contact with a highly rated neuropsych doctor in my area who does comprehensive cognitive testing who thought I really needed an evaluation for ADHD and/or underlying cognitive issues. We sent in a request to my insurance, but they denied it. I sent in an appeal and just learned that they denied that as well. Apparently they don't touch anything related to diagnosing ADHD. The testing will be at least $1400 out of pocket, possibly closer to $2400. We can't afford that. I don't know what else to do, I feel like this was my only option and I just can't live like this anymore. I'm devastated.

Has anyone else been in this situation? What can I do?

I don't think your insurance company has a problem with you getting tested for ADHD, I think it's by whom. A neurologist is the top of the pyramid when it comes to specialists. It's the cost that the insurance company doesn't want to pay. Does your plan allow you to see a neurologist without a referral from your primary care doctor? Your best bet would to find a psychologist who's focus is ADD/ADHD, they are a lot cheaper and insurance companies like that. They can not prescribe medications but the right one has the capability of properly diagnosing someone. Go on-line and do a search, your insurance company website should list all the providers that accept their plan. From MD's to LCSW, once you have a list of names, if the website doesn't have a full bio of the provider just google their name and most likely they have a website and it will give you all the info you need. But you need to see one that is experienced in ADD/ADHD. Their are options out there you just have to do a little footwork and don't let the insurance company discourage you. Once you get properly diagnosed then the psychologist will come up with a treatment plan. You may get referred to a psychiatrist, who are MD's, to get medication if that is what is needed. I go to a psychiatrist every 3 months for what is called "medication maintenance" we chat for about 15 min. or so and he writes out a scrip for the next 3 months until I see him again. If I go to therapy I go to a LCSW who focus is ADD related issues. As I said you have options, lots of them. They are not cheap but affordable, getting the right help will be worth it. Let me know if you need any more help.