ADD-ADHD screening
 

Hey guys,

I have an appointment set up with a specialist to see if I have ADD or ADHD. I went to a primary care physician initially to see what he thought I should do and he directed me toward a specialist. The primary care physician told me he wouldnt just prescribe me drugs bc it wouldnt be the right thing to do. I wasnt there for the medication, I am just tired of having this tv I call my brain constantly changing channels. I guess a lot of people just want the meds. I have always had a short attention span and I could cope with it. But its starting to affect my studies now that my course load is much greater in grad school. They told me to set away two hours for this session. I was wondering why they need me for two hours!!? What do they do during this time? Any info would help. Thanks!

My sister had it. I think you answer a questionairre, and they also ask you questions. She got it from a GP though, so with a psychiatrist, it might be different. (you never said but since the primary care physician wouldn't treat you, I assumed psychiatrist would be the next one lol)

I just looked at the envelope, he is a psychologist if that helps??

There's just a ton of testing and talking they'll do with you. They'll probably go over your history and possibly family history too.

Well, a psychologist would just be able to refer you back to your physician with a diagnosis. A psychiatrist would be able to write you a prescription based on the diagnosis.
I have been diagnosed with ADD, but only by my general practitioner. Basically my report cards from grades 7-12 with 95% of the comments for each class saying, "Bright individual but talks too much and/or doesn't pay attention" sorta swayed him. That and my economics teacher throwing erasers are me every class when he knew i was daydreaming (in a funny sort of way, not abusive).

There are a bunch of different possible medications that can be tried. Straterra is used only for adult ADD but it did crap for me and now I'm on Adderall.

I also (just for fun) took an online ADD test awhile ago and scored through the roof on having it. Search google and you can probably find some to give you a rough estimate of what a psychiatrist might do.

Don't take Straterra, it will fuck with your balls.

Adderall is supposed to be great, my friend with ADD started taking it and his grades went from D's to A's. And his personality didn't change at all.

Dr will aways try to give Straterra first, because it can't be used as a party drug.

Thanks for the info guys. I know the general sequence of meds prescribed is straterra, concerta, then adderall. Everyone I have spoken with personally has told me taht straterra made them tired or made them a little sick. I will try anything at this point. I have read many ADD/ADHD articles online. Do you know what key symptoms they are looking for when they meet with you in person?

Therapy always greatly improves the effectiveness of any mental health medications. Meds alone aren't the magic elixer that many people think they are. Get all the support you can!

Good advice. I think it's definitely key, at least for me [as someone diagnosed with adhd].

Support can mean talking about it with the doc who prescribed the meds, talking to a different one about it, and also informal means like close friends or family members.
(There's a learning disabilities group at my college, which can help with study advice and what not, it's something to check out at your school). Also, speaking of schools, the guidance counseling might be able to guide you to some resources on campus (if you're looking for support that is).

Back to the question (i went off on a tangent, heh), I guess it depends on the screening. My screening was for 4/5 hours or so, taking all sorts of different cognative tests [I think they tested for me for other things as well, I was a high school frosh at the time).

regards,
will.

I just returned my copy of the DSM IV to the library or I could tell you exactly what they have to see to diagnose you. Basically, the scientific psychological community has come up with guidelines for symptoms you have to exhibit over a certian period of time in order for you to be diagnosed. Things like "Often has trouble concentrating, to the point it disrups normal daily funcion" and things like that. The symptoms must be exhibited for a legnth of time (I think it's 6 months but it might be longer) and you must show signs of like... more than half the the required symptoms.

So, your checkup will most likely involve lots of questions about your behavior, lifestyle, background, and perhaps some tests and observations as well. Keep in mind that medication is not the only way to treat ADD/ADHD. Since you are an adult you are capable of meditation and thearapy to treat your symptoms naturally without meds (always a good thing, in my opnion.)

I went the psychologist, I have ADD apparently. Im trying straterra for those of you who responded. Thanks again for the input.