Second Opinion

Hey guys,

I apologize if someone has already asked this question somewhere else on the website. I'm new hear. Long story short, I feel like it has always taken me a ton of effort to start something let alone finish it. It once took me 3 months to take a video of a friend's wedding off of my camera and put it on a flash drive for my friend and I have always done things last minute ... literally having to do something or being reprimanded at work or getting a poor grade at school has been the only thing that can motivate me to get something done. A few months ago I decided to take steps to see if there was something I could do about it. I've always been a good student but I feel like it was just because I had a knack for figuring out what the teacher was going to test us on ... not really taking the time to learn what I was supposed to. I never really "studied" and opted to, instead, figure out how to get a decent grade without actually understanding the material. I'm the world's best academic ********ter. In September, I started a graduate program and that kind of studying just doesn't cut it. You have to read and study endlessly and actually understand the material enough to be given an entirely new question and able to answer it well and I just wasn't able to do it like my fellow classmates. I did pretty terribly on our first few exams and I'm really nervous about the future ones. For some odd reason I've always been opposed to medications and thought that they were "just not for me." I started to come around to the idea after seeing how I wasn't able to handle responsibilities like other people. I thought of it as an option even more so when my older sister told me that she actually was diagnosed with ADHD and was on medication for it. Long story short (again), I got a referral from my PCP to see a psychiatrist. I went into the appointment really hopeful and jut felt terrible and down on myself by the end of it. He seemed to have a very negative idea about medications as a solution and tried to push "mindfulness" on me and, at one point, even said I "just needed sit my *** down and just the work." He made me feel like an idiot for seeking help and having medication as an option in my mind. Trust me when I say, guys, that if I am considering medication as a solution, it already is my last resort. The fact that I even made an appointment with a psychiatrist to discuss it means I've already tried everything at my disposal. There comes a point where you almost have to laugh in a doctor's face if they suggest making a to-do list one more time. As if I haven't tried that before. I'm 29 years old. I feel like decisions about what solution is best for me should come about after a discussion. But instead, I feel like I'm his guinea pig patient and he's out to prove that it can be done without medication (he just started at my hospital's department a month ago). Knowing very well how far you have to make appointments out for (weeks, sometimes) I really want to make an appointment with a different psychiatrist and get a second opinion. I just don't know how many times someone can suggest taking study workshops until they believe you that you know how to study but that it's literally impossible for you to focus on the material you're trying to study. Is it commonplace for people to change psychiatrists for this reason?

Hi CCDDOOGG.

Getting a definitive diagnoses of adult ADD is usually very involved. Finding a specialist who is very experienced in ADD and similar disorders would be your best option. Apart from procrastination and lack of concentration there are many many other intrusive symptoms that point to ADD, and usually the symptoms need to have been apparent since childhood.

I also see that this is your first post here...For those who feel alone, or simply wanting to reach out for a chat without judgement......Psych Central is the place. There are many good listeners here... we're a pretty good bunch.

I have been an active member of this site for more than 3 years. In that time I have received some really constructive feedback and connected with several others with similar challenges to myself. I have also found hanging out in the Games Forums to be a welcome distraction in times of stress... a great way to clear my head, meet like minded others, and have some well needed fun. New members also benefit greatly from perusing the many forums available here...lots to explore. Also after 5 approved posts members have the option to join the chatrooms..or chat one on one with other members.

Should you have any questions on navigating this site, please don't hesitate to private message me or any of the other Community Liaisons who will be more than happy to help. Just click on the screen name above my avatar.

Please be kind & generous to yourself CCDDOOGG, and welcome to P.C

Welcome to PC!

Getting a definitive ADHD diagnosis is difficult, as the above poster said. It used to be easier to obtain medication for it but because stimulant medication abuse is becoming more common and many feel that ADHD is too quickly diagnosed by many practitioners, there are often many hoops to jump though. It may very well be that this doc is against medication (believe it or not, there are some psychologists and psychiatrists who still "don't believe in" ADHD as a real disorders. It might just be that you found a guy who is one of those nonbelievers. I quoted this one statement because actually, many do go their doctors and simply report the symptoms of forgetfulness, carelessness, and restlessness and walk out with a prescription for a stimulant (hence the rampant abuse of stimulant medication). So just because you are seeing a psychiatrist doesn't mean this was your last resort.

I would see a neuropsychologist or another psychiatrist. Maybe do a little bit of research on them (most who have a website will list the disorders that they treat). That will save you some time avoiding the nonbelievers. However, responsible doctors who diagnose and treat ADHD often require a full evaluation. This requires an extensive medical history, talking with you, possible talking to family members, possibly a battery of tests to rule out other possibilities such as learning disorders, etc.