Depression / ADHD

[Mimi]

I want to investigate further to see if I may have depression or ADHD/ADD. Who do I need to see? A psychiatrist? How do I choose one?

I don't really want to do it. I guess I'm afraid to be diagnosed with either one.

[Deleted]

A psychiatrist. Just think, if you thought you had diabetes, you would get checked, right? Good luck.

[Deleted]

I'd see a psychiatrist. Your primary care physician probably could recommend someone to you. I hope you get any treatment that you might need. Take care of yourself.

[Deleted]

So from personal experience, I would recommend starting with a psychologist that can communicate directly with your physician. Together they can get you started on a diagnosis and medication right away. The psychologist can also determine if you need to be referred to a psychiatrist, which may happen if your physician can't find a good med and/or dosage for you. It has been my experience that it's a lot harder to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, and they play a greater role in managing your medication/dosage rather than just the counseling part. And even if you see a psychiatrist, they may still want you to see a psychologist for maintenance counseling.

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2014 23:11:01 GMT -5 cuadrado said:

So from personal experience, I would recommend starting with a psychologist that can communicate directly with your physician. Together they can get you started on a diagnosis and medication right away. The psychologist can also determine if you need to be referred to a psychiatrist, which may happen if your physician can't find a good med and/or dosage for you. It has been my experience that it's a lot harder to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, and they play a greater role in managing your medication/dosage rather than just the counseling part. And even if you see a psychiatrist, they may still want you to see a psychologist for maintenance counseling.

I would not have a general physician manage ADHD.  

[lasagnasshole]

Aug 31, 2014 23:11:01 GMT -5 cuadrado said:

So from personal experience, I would recommend starting with a psychologist that can communicate directly with your physician. Together they can get you started on a diagnosis and medication right away. The psychologist can also determine if you need to be referred to a psychiatrist, which may happen if your physician can't find a good med and/or dosage for you. It has been my experience that it's a lot harder to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, and they play a greater role in managing your medication/dosage rather than just the counseling part. And even if you see a psychiatrist, they may still want you to see a psychologist for maintenance counseling.

I think this is only a good suggestion IF you can't find a psychiatrist with any kind of decent availability. In some areas, it is very difficult to find one, but in some areas, it's not hard at all. But like @spenjamins said, I'd try to find a psychiatrist first. 

[cosmos]

Psychiatrist.

I suspected I had ADD for a while. I found one that specializes in adult ADD through internet research and my regular doctor recommended him. I did not want to go to one that only handles children, because my needs are different.

Best thing I ever did. I was never diagnosed as a kid because I don't have hyperactivity and I always did well in school. I learned that I was just always able to compensate because I learned things quickly, and I learned to compensate other ways.

I don't have clinical depression, but I do have PMDD- i get very depressed for 2 weeks before my period without medication (or if my meds are too low). I also went slightly psychotic, became irrational and non-functional. Prozac was a game changer for me. I was diagnosed by my obgyn.

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Sept 1, 2014 6:18:31 GMT -5 lasagnasshole said:

Aug 31, 2014 23:11:01 GMT -5 cuadrado said:

So from personal experience, I would recommend starting with a psychologist that can communicate directly with your physician. Together they can get you started on a diagnosis and medication right away. The psychologist can also determine if you need to be referred to a psychiatrist, which may happen if your physician can't find a good med and/or dosage for you. It has been my experience that it's a lot harder to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, and they play a greater role in managing your medication/dosage rather than just the counseling part. And even if you see a psychiatrist, they may still want you to see a psychologist for maintenance counseling.

I think this is only a good suggestion IF you can't find a psychiatrist with any kind of decent availability. In some areas, it is very difficult to find one, but in some areas, it's not hard at all. But like @spenjamins said, I'd try to find a psychiatrist first. 

In my area, it can take up to 6 weeks to get in with a good psychiatrist and then appts have to be scheduled 4 weeks out.

Eta: my suggestion to seek a psychologist first was bc OP also suspects she has depression, and I would assume that is a more pressing issue. And I was not saying to see a psychologist/md instead of a psychiatrist. I was just suggesting that as a starting point to get immediate help.

[kris356]

I don't usually post here but this came up on my feed. DH has ADHD. He was diagnosed as a child but my MIL refused to treat it.

About four years ago he decided to seek treatment. We found a psychiatrist that specialized in adult ADHD treatment online. I would not let a gp treat this, a psychologist cannot prescribe medication and would definitely find someone who treats adults not children because needs are totally different. I will warn you that it is not instant, it is a bit of trial and error to get the medication and dosage correct. The first meds were horrible, the made home short tempered and moody it was horrible. Good luck!

[imojoebunny]

I second do not allow your primary care Dr. to prescribe meds, if you are diagnosed with ADHD. Neurologist or Psychiatrist. I am sure some PCP are fine, but our experience with DD's pediatrician prescribing ADHD meds was positively terrifying.

[Mimi]

cosmos, did you share your diagnosis to others except to your H (and GBCN)? Do you talk about it to others?

My sister is a neurologist and I've been wondering if I should talk to her, ask questions and discuss ADD.

[Poppy]

I personally would not want family helping me with mental health stuff.

I have had good experiences with GPs and also bad ones. Definitely ideal if you can get in to see a psychiatrist although it was extremely frustrating for me to try to find one with reasonable availability. What finally did the trick was a referral from the counselor that I was seeing. I found her through my work EAP.

ETA: And do not expect instant results. For one thing, many ADs take awhile to become effective, and often you will have to try more than one med. So just manage your expectations and don't freak out if it takes awhile to see results.

[spindle92]

I have depression and ADD.
Please see a psychiatrist. They specialize in mental health. While a GP is good if you are in a bind and need a med refill, you really need to start with a psychiatrist to get the best help possible.

[Mimi]

Sept 2, 2014 11:34:43 GMT -5 Poppy said:

I personally would not want family helping me with mental health stuff.

I have had good experiences with GPs and also bad ones. Definitely ideal if you can get in to see a psychiatrist although it was extremely frustrating for me to try to find one with reasonable availability. What finally did the trick was a referral from the counselor that I was seeing. I found her through my work EAP.

ETA: And do not expect instant results. For one thing, many ADs take awhile to become effective, and often you will have to try more than one med. So just manage your expectations and don't freak out if it takes awhile to see results.

I didn't mean to have my sister treat me.  Even if she's local, I wouldn't want to do that.  It's more about being open with her and discussing it, and maybe she'll make me more comfortable about seeing a psychiatrist.  I'm just wondering if others discuss their ADD/depression with family or friends.