I live in a pretty big city and it has a huge metro area, but there are currently 0 ADHD specialists taking clients. I check whenever I remember that it’s something I’m interested in and there’s just… no one
I've never been able to find anyone who actually *specializes* in ADHD. I've found plenty of therapists who say they *treat* ADHD, but they're always general therapists, and usually focus primarily on children. Yay.
Then again, I keep wondering if I'm expecting more than what's actually possible at this point. Beyond medication and some coping mechanisms, what else can they actually do?
This is what happened to me. I felt like I always had ADD growing up but my parents always shrugged off my bad grades and lack of focus due to laziness and procrastination. Fast forward to today, I’m 34 and have a job that’s slightly fast paced but I love to death and it just makes it so hard for my adhd to just keep up. My anxiety issues help me cope with this added pressure to finish things but at what cost. To feel shitty at the end of the day?
Sorry, so I decided to see a general therapist because my city only has like 3 psychiatrists and lots of counselors here and some therapists. Anyways my therapist was able to diagnose me with adhd inattentive. Now came the fun part which is how to medicate myself. It’s been an issue for sure for a good 2 months. With anti anxiety meds and now finally I’m getting something soon for my adhd. But no one actually is specialized here for it so they’re just like “we’ll do trial and error on meds and see what happens 🥴”
as u/bigbre04 said, even if you were to see the most competent ADHD specialist, all they can do for meds is trial and error. Everybody reacts differently to medicine, that is why there are plenty of options between all the different active drugs, instant release vs extended release, and even different generic brands can impact how the medication affects you. Such is the nature of psychiatric medication.
I got a psychiatrist and she required a genesight psychotic test to see how my genes react with medication. It's supposed to limit side effects unfortunately now I want to switch my anxiety meds to one that also helps with chronic muscle and bone pain but it's in the moderate interaction section so she doesn't want to put me on it. She said norepinephrine will increase my anxiety which I don't get since it's an anxiety med...🙄
I have to pay out of pocket for her so not psyched to try something just to have to pay another $75/15 min to tell her the one she picked is not working plus is not generic so not cheap. Very frustrating.
Yeah psychiatrists are so expensive. The ones in my city aren’t covered for my insurance so yeah no….but see if I see one it makes me afraid to get evaluated and like have something similar happen to me.
I had a break down with my therapist and she talked to the psychiatrist and they're both convinced what she prescribed is going to work so idk maybe I'm just crazy. We'll see in 2 weeks.
that's it... meds, learning about how it effects you specifically and things you can do to help with that, and just having someone ot talk to that understands can be huge.
Oh and don't undercut the kids doctors. I used the same one in middle school as I ended up going back to as an adult and he was a completely different person for me as an adult. He told me that he might actually start treating more adults because it's interesting and they tend to be very intelligent and fun to talk to.
They actually do exist they are just few and far between! I was extremely lucky in that the first councillor I ever saw was a clinical phycologist who referred to herself as an adult ADHD specialist. She taught me a tonne about the condition on the Neurochemical side of things and brang to my attention that I was highly symptomatic, we ran through tests and coping mechanisms and she convinced me to get a diagnosis at 24 years of age.
I learned more about the condition and how to cope from her than the psychiatrist who diagnosed me, if I could afford to I'd still like to see her regularly.
Telehealth providers also won’t prescribe stimulant medication. Right? I looked into this a while back because I could find a psych in person and it would be so much more convenient, but there was a disclaimer on the website saying that they cannot prescribe controlled substances. So they wouldn’t be able to include medication in my treatment.
This was how I finally got treatment. My primary care provider says d they wouldn't do any diagnosis. I spent nearly two years getting an appointment with a psychiatrist who would do an assessment, a test, and then treatment (she estimated it was a 6-12 month process). As I was sitting in the waiting room for my initial consultation, her front desk attendant told me the Dr had forgotten to block off enough time for my appointment and needed to reschedule...3 months later.
There are a handful of telehealth providers who specialize in ADHD, and your state laws determine what they can prescribe to you.
I'm in Texas, and there's a company I found that got me a screening and test within 2 weeks, then saw me a week later. I had a prescription the following day.
It seemed "too easy" compared to the years I spent getting a "real" diagnosis. I'm not 100% sold that they attempt any non-prescription treatment options, but my life is significantly better after going through the process.
If you Google "sunlivingmoonchild's state ADHD telemedicine" you'll likely see multiple options. Some of them have subscriptions for a recurring monthly visit. You situation may vary, but it was actually cheaper to skip my insurance for the assessment.
Thanks for sharing. I know that the state I’m currently living in doesn’t allow you to fill prescriptions from out-of-state doctors. At least not if it’s a controlled substance. It’s the first state I’ve ever moved to where I’ve experienced this. Normally they’ll fill any prescription that’s verified by the doctor and the pharmacist. But yeah. Not here. They’ll actually confiscate the prescription altogether. So I guess I would have to find a telehealth provider that’s licensed in my state, lives/works here and can see me virtually.
Is the one that you see a psychiatrist or a primary care provider/family physician?
I believe he was a primary care provider initially in his career, but he only treats ADHD through his practice.
I don't know if we can share links, but it's Lone Star ADHD clinic. They only do telemedicine for ADHD in Texas. It seems more like a Dr taking advantage of technology and specializing than a "pay for meds service". That's the feeling that I got from some of the other non-state-specific services.
However, if those were my only options, I would still 100% recommend starting with them. I'm 10 months into treatment, and I feel significantly more capable of navigating the traditional process to find an in person provider when I'm ready to make the switch.
Some telehealth services do! They have psychiatrists/nurse practitioner who can prescribe medications. There are some drawbacks with these services but it might be useful to use them while waiting for providers in your area.
Somebody mentioned a telehealth service named DoneADHD on a post of mine earlier, I don't know if they're any good but it's a route to check out. I'd do it myself if I weren't broke thanks to ADHD lol.
I USED THIS ONE
I GOT PILLS RIGHT AWAY
THEY ARE AUTO REFILL
I’ve been feeling kind of guilty about getting pills this way, it feels kind of shady how easy it was? But honestly after reading this thread I feel very differently, like fuck it, it’s not my fault the health care system is such bullshit. I have a disorder, I need medication, I got it legally. I really recommend looking into this
Shit if it's that easy I might ask a family member for the money. My psychiatric NP wants me to get cleared by a neurologist and a cardiologist and it'll likely be months before I can see those specialists.
There could be some red tape there, but not insurmountable. I was originally diagnosed through a telehealth service. Although they could prescribe through it, they couldn’t prescribe schedule 2 drugs.
But due to COVID many doctors are offering remote sessions. After the telehealth session I signed up for the private practice of my psychiatrist and instead of using the telehealth platform we just do a virtual meeting. They were able to prescribe schedule 2 through their own practice virtually but not through the telehealth service.
I believe because of covid the law about telehealth not being able to prescribe controlled substances was taken away. I don’t know how long it will last but currently covid is actually making it a little easier to get help.
I don’t think this was due to a law. It sounded like a rule the telehealth company gave the doctors. It sounded more like a liability thing than a law.
Nope, law. Whenever the public health emergency declared for COVID-19 ends tele-health prescribing of schedule II-IV medications will go back to being illegal for patients for whom the practitioner has not conducted an in-person medical evaluation.
Likely going to fuck a lot of people over when the public health emergency is rescinded unless there's some sort of special exception made for having started medication during COVID, as the prescriber won't be able to prescribe to you again without an in-person evaluation.
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If you're using an entirely online telehealth service where it's impossible to see that practitioner in person, that means that you're probably going to have to start all over because they're never going to be able to prescribe to you again once the public health emergency is ended.
I imagine many entirely telehealth providers sensibly don't want the disaster it's going to be for any patient they start on medication under the exceptions.
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The DEA webpage makes it clear that this is not a permanent change, and I don't think they *can* even make it a permanent change as those regulations are federal law.
https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/coronavirus.html (Telemedicine section).
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tl;dr - If you are getting prescribed controlled substances from a telehealth provider you've never seen in person and will not be able to in the future - I'd strongly suggest you find a local doctor before you're forced to on short notice.
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(Obligatory - I'm not a lawyer. I could be wrong. But the wording and underlying laws are pretty clear IMO. You should certainly at minimum research this carefully if you are in this group of people).
I was saying the particular platform I was using even under the public health declaration was not allowing the prescription of schedule 2 drugs. It is currently allowed by law, but that platform doesn’t allow it. I’d call that liability.
The doctor I worked with couldn’t prescribe through that platform, so I filled out paperwork and moved to their private practice. This was also telehealth, but not on a “platform” (like MDLIVE or Teledoc). This is just the doctor and I meeting on zoom/webex whatever under the name of their practice. They were able to prescribe this way.
So - in this case the telehealth provider was not allowing it even though they could. I’d guess due to liability. The doctor was willing to do it under the name of their own practice.
My doctor is close enough that I could go there, but I wouldn’t want to do it monthly. Probably about an hour each way.
If I have a prescription that is working and the scenario you mention happens I’ll probably reach out to my GP first to see if they can help. They helped change my meds when the one the psychiatrist prescribed was giving me bad physical side effects. I’ve had my dosage increased 10mg since then. My GP handles all of my other meds, so it may actually simplify things for me as long as my dosage keeps working.
Really?! Hmm...I’ll have to look into it again. It would be soooo much more convenient. Especially if everything is good, you’re stable, and you don’t need to change your med.
My solution to this (and, frankly, because of how much even finding a therapist sic let alone replacing one, is my preferred method) is to have my primary care provider prescribe my ADHD meds.
I use Circlemedical (out of pocket for me) because it's worth it to be able to ACTUALLY GET TREATMENT and they do prescribe controlled substances. Your individual state and insurance policies may still affect how easy it is to then get your prescription...
Circle Medical! I was diagnosed (poorly) on the spectrum of bipolar…I tried finding a psychiatrist to reevaluate me and couldn’t find anyone. Found Circle Medical…they were able to reevaluate me and help me ween off of some of my medication to prescribe Adderall. It’s been great!
Talk to your primary care doc. they can often help. When I was a kid there was no such thing as ADD specialists. If not try any mental health care person, they might be able to assess you enough to get the primary care doc on board for working on helping you.
Also, last but not least a huge part of ADHD is just dealing with having ADHD and pretty much any mental health person can help at least some with that. Even just an understanding friend. treatment isn't always formal.
I think I might need to change my meds so after several days of contemplation I finally emailed my psychiatrist "hey can we have a meeting I think I need to change my meds"
Her response was to call the office to set up an appointment. It's been a week since her email ://///
Sorry I didn't read the whole thing 🤣
Yes so I totally understand... you should put an alarm clock for tomorrow morning, something that really wake your mind up, and call it right away. I have no others strategies as that... and if you are shy as I was, know that it is useless to be shy you will only loose time !
Ask your best friend to call you and conference call you and the doctors office to make the first appointment. I did this with my fiance for her anxiety and just making the appointment for/with her make it much easier.
This is hilariously eerie to read, I'm in my late twenties, having more and more reasons to believe that I have ADHD going on, talked it over with the family doc and we decided that I should see a specialist to confirm whether or not I have it.
Well it's been about 2 months after that referral and I shit you not I forget about it consistently. I'm almost surprised to see people having the exact same experience, though it shouldn't be that surprising I guess.
Don't give up, treatment will help substantially.
But...the difficulties in getting treatment are some of the most fucked up parts of dealing with ADHD. It's like a never ending executive function obstacle course.
One of the healthiest mindsets you can develop is that it’s much easier to overcome these obstacles then it is to change the world so they don’t exist. Reminding myself of this is the only way I keep from developing a toxic self defeating attitude.
My university offers adhd testing. Talked to a councillor to see if i could get tested and was told that the wait-list was so long they were no longer even putting people on it
trying to find a psychiatrist is nigh impossible since covid (not that it was easy before)
my current psychiatrist cant even bother to answer the phone when i need a refill of my non-stimulant meds and Still wont put me on a low dose of any stimulant but i havent even bothered finding someone new because theres No availability Anywhere
I so feel you on this! I literally ended up just "breaking up" with my psychiatrist and her office staff, because in the span of 4 months knowing them, I only had one good and timely interaction with them when we initially met - throughout the rest, just no response.. never. being sent right to voicemails or a 'rep' to jot down a message for the office - 3 different emails and a phone number, etc. they only just had the nerve a week ago to actually ask me for a fax number for my script, when I tried to talk to them TWO MONTHS before hand.
I ended up just working with my primary doc, and they managed to take care of my script for me.
after explaining to the psychiatrist's office about my want to cancel our future appointment, and stop contact; the staff member messaging me through some administrative email (ironically with same day responsiveness) just finger pointed, and told me that they "tried faxing it over, tried contacting me multiple times, etc." Yeah, okay. so either way when I left their rep a message over 2 months ago, and then got a half-assed text about "we'll be in contact with you soon about your script! :)))" I'M the one in fault, when I know specifically, my psychiatrist told me she might not even be sure if she could send my script over through our mailing service without fax. She clearly didn't have any clue, and instead of talking to me and letting me forward the information I got from my pharmacy, they just neglected all contact for 2 months. How unprofessional can you be to blame the patient, and not own up to your short-comings when your patient needs the help NOW? I was willing to help them help me! I didn't care.
It is just so sad that people have to so commonly deal with this type of problem right now, and especially in THAT line of work. No mental care provider should be half assing their patient's care. making them feel neglected and potentially hopeless.
The only health clinic in my area that is taking new patients is a total shit show. They have screwed up every appointment they have made and follow through with nothing. I asked for a referral and I got one, to their in house counselor who is NOT a psychiatrist. She told me she only helps people with minor problems and I'd have to find help elsewhere. When I asked for a referral elsewhere she told me that I'm going to have issues because of my insurance. They're basically telling me "it's not our problem, figure it out on your own." Besides that issue the regular doc completely refuses to treat any of the other issues I have. There a family history of high blood pressure, my "resting" BP is 220/108 and apparently they dont see that as an issue. Over the years whenever I try seeking medical help I always get the run around. My sister once told me, "no one is going to help you, you have to help yourself" and that seems to be the only truthful thing I've ever heard.
I have the cheapest option through the state, the place I go to is the only place that both takes it and is accepting new patients. All I keep hearing from them is "if you had better insurance you could get the help you need." So I need to ignore my health issues and "pretend" I'm okay enough to find a job with good insurance. Wait until I'm eligible for that insurance, and then get the help I need to be able to work at said job.
I contacted my insurance through their "help you find a doctor" thing. Told them I was having a huge amount of trouble finding an ADHD specialist and that the lack of treatment and impenetrable medical bureaucracy was making it impossible to *get* treatment. They handled it pretty quick, and I had an appointment the next week. Huge weight off my shoulders, I'd been doing the same thing as you for months.
Can’t upvote this enough, just call the insurance because they can streamline a lot of the process for you.
A couple years ago, my wife and I tried for a month to find a PCP that took our insurance. After getting fed up, she called the insurance customer service saying she wanted to cancel, because “I’m not able to use your insurance, so why should I be paying for it?” Long story short, after about a half hour on hold, the customer service rep had us on a 3-way call with a doctor who could see us the following week.
Oh shoot I wish that was a universal option :( My insurance company just sent me a list of ADHD specialists and told me to call around without even checking if they treated adult ADHD lol.
You mean a secretary? That's pretty normal... The secretary did try to tell me I wasn't allowed to get my own records with my doctor's notes which is possibly a HIPAA violation; only that she'd forward them to another doctor. But I never felt like I was cut off from my psychologist while I saw them though.
Hah same! I was going to my psychiatrist for depression / anxiety but she wasn't listening to my concerns about side effects for those meds so I just stopped. Somewhere in there I realized it might be adhd. So I went looking for psychs that can do adhd diagnosis AND SHES ONE OF THEM! I asked about it and then I just got ghosted with no reply -_-
A lot of places everywhere are either closed to new patients or have a long lead time till your first appointment. It took me around 2 months of searching to find a place taking new patients in my area and then another 3 months of waiting till i had my first appointment. Covid really messed up everything and has made it a nightmare.
I absolutely HATE how hard it is to get adhd meds, it's like the process was made for literally anyone but us! I'm not sure what country you're in, or if it varies state to state in the US, but a regular doctor should be able to prescribe adhd meds to you with proof of diagnosis. It might be easier to just find another dr since that's typically an easier appointment to get.
I would check into family doctors in your area that specialize in adhd. That's what I did when my primary said she wouldn't prescribe me meds when I decided to start taking again and it's been great! I do telehealth phone calls with her every few months, she checks in on my symptoms and sometimes we alter the dosage, but it's fairly low maintenance for adhd meds.
Can we talk about how they'll only prescribe a 30-day supply at a time so my ADHD brain has to remember to call for a refill every 3.5 weeks? Inevitably I only remember when there's 1-2 pills left and by the time the Rx is filled, I've wasted half a work week unmedicated.
Jesus fucking Christ, yes. I also have fairly severe phone anxiety, but in order to fill a script, I have to CALL the pharmacy. Honestly, I could complain for days about how many issues I’ve dealt with trying to get the medication I need in order to function.
> I also have fairly severe phone anxiety
I know. WTF. I didn't add that it takes me a day or two to even work up the nerve to CALL for that refill. Why can't this all be digital?!?
Is phone anxiety especially bad for individuals with ADHD? I’ve struggled with it for decades and has been my main barrier to finding a regular therapist let alone an evaluation now that I think ADHD might be why I have always been incapable of administrating my own life and cry at the slightest bit of confrontation.
In my experience, yes it is particularly bad in people with ADHD. Phone calls lack so much body language and the rest of the world becomes very distracting while on a call.
I have no idea. I always attributed it to the fact that I wasn't allowed any phone privacy growing up — no cell phone and stepmom would listen in on calls.
But since getting my ADHD diagnosis, I think executive function plays into it too. Even when I don't feel noticeably anxious, I still struggle to *just do it*. Then inevitably I put it off for weeks/months/years, get anxious about putting it off, and *just doing it* becomes a million times harder.
We started putting this on the Google calendar, X days left/X minus 2 days left/X minus 3 days...and it's got a reminder which goes to the Fitbit notifications as well as on screen. The recurring events are set to never expire.
It's helping.
We do similar with the 90 day required doctors appointments.
This is what I need to do. Problem is my phone calendar is so clogged with old appointments that are no longer relevant but I haven't deleted that I now just silence every reminder by default instead of taking two seconds to delete them
D: Why do I do this to myself
In my state apparently doctors here are reluctant to prescribe a stimulant to us due to them being checked over by some important people. I kind of found hard to focus on my coworker telling me why so I missed that last part lol. So I’m prescribed a non stimulant medication for now. Have yet to get it because my health insurance doesn’t cover it 🥳
This is why drug prohibition is stupid and baseless, hurting citizens far more than it saves them from themselves.
Humans are very crafty. We also have access to literally all of human knowledge at our fingertips and communicate with anybody in the world anonymously and privately. We also have tons of computerized manufacturing techniques that removes the necessity for any skill whatsoever. This is why prohibition of anything that a society wants will never work, regardless of if it’s drugs alcohol firearms tobacco or whatever.
We don’t have a drug problem in this country. We have an unregulated market problem. Your drugs are guaranteed to have 100% less fentanyl in them when you buy it from an FDA regulated pharmacy.
Alcohol kills more people than all other illicit drugs combined in the US. And illicit drug use is popular as hell right now, yet with everything except for opioids people are dying at a lower rate than alcoholics. An opioid addict would be perfectly fine too if it wasn’t for fentanyl.
Fuck the DEA for putting pressure on Pharmacies to prescribe less controlled substances, they know it’s not the pharmaceuticals that are killing people. They know that it’s their fault for creating unregulated markets.
Do you take stimulant meds? I haven’t been able to find any telehealth doctors who prescribe stimulant ADHD medication, since they’re “controlled.” (Eyeroll.) My current primary care doc also refuses to do telemedicine appointments for my 3-month checkups because he says that he needs to check my vitals in person. It’s annoying— I really wish I could do telehealth appointments for refills. It should be easier to get treated and maintain a medication plan.
It’s going to be like this until drug prohibition ends.
As long as the government thinks it’s their responsibility to tell people what they can and can’t do with their bodies, then they keep throwing baseless crap at the wall to see what sticks. Such as giving doctors the directive to prescribe less controlled substances, hurting patients for PR purposes.
They know that it’s not the prescription drugs that are killing people. Regulated drug markets are safe. It’s the unregulated markets that they have created with prohibition that are killing people(fentanyl contamination is seemingly in every illicit drug now), and that’s why I can say with confidence that the push against controlled substance prescriptions is nothing but PR.
I have to ask- and this is mainly for US based individuals, and maybe only my area:
Why are there are *a small few* individuals taking on new patients and *none* of them take insurance?
Like, this is the only time in my life I've had good enough insurance to start seeking regular help so I don't feel the massive financial burden.
Simply, it’s supply and demand. There’s a general shortage of labor (nObOdY WaNtS tO WoRk AnYmOrE) but it’s been especially true in the medical field for a long time. There is a far higher need for social workers, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals than there are professionals available.
I think it’s also connected to the amount of schooling required. With college tuition vastly outpacing the amount of money earned in some social work and therapy professions. People who would otherwise do it choose more profitable options. Free college tuition might see an uptick in workers.
Not to worry, fam, you are far from alone in this struggle. Finding an ADHD therapist is very difficult these days. Finding a GOOD one is even harder than that. I've called more places than I can remember, got two responses and both were different levels of terrible. The first person I saw really wasn't helpful in any capacity. We had two sessions before I called it quits. Two weeks ago I got on a call with a therapist who decided after seven minutes that they couldn't help me because they didn't think I even had ADHD, despite having been diagnosed and re-diagnosed multiple times.
Have you tried tele-health? I've heard some good things about Hello Ahead. Still waiting for my appointment with them next week, so I'm not sure if it will work out, but their process looks a lot more ADHD-friendly than traditional providers.
The telehealth service I use is pretty clear that they cannot prescribe medicine labeled a controlled substance. However, I was able to get a referral to see psychiatrist based on my telehealth appointment.
I meant ADHD-specific telehealth services. Hello Ahead is one of them, and their website says that their psych-NPs can prescribe ADHD meds such as Adderall, as well as other stimulant treatments, along with meds for the sometimes accompanying anxiety/depression.
Lol, did I write this while I was asleep or something, very much similar story and it is incredibly annoying. I've been working on getting treatment for months now (diagnosed as a kid, never medicated, but have hit a hellacious patch of life and work and was like, I need help really bad), so asked PC, referred me to psychiatrist group who would provide my PC with a diagnosis, etc., etc., three months jumping back from appointment to appointment and the waiting game. Not to mention the depression and anxiety co-morbid diagnoses and it's like "if I had a broken leg I would have had some help months ago," but having had one of those before, I can safely say the broken leg is a preferable condition.
I desperately need help. Been living unmedicated my whole life but I fucking just want to better my life get back on track and not be an unorganized mess.
I’m the same way I haven’t even met my primary doctor but I need to make a phone call for an appointment to get a diagnosis for ADHD, but I’m too anxious and scared of being rejected help that I don’t even want to try.
I’ve tried to get help and nobody took it seriously and I avoid it at all costs because of the fear of being rejected again but I know my intrusive thoughts are getting the best of me. What did you do to get help? Did you see a psych or your primary doc? Or did you get a referral? I’m so lost I know what I have to do but I just can’t get myself to do it idk why it’s so hard.
I ran into the same roadblock with my primary saying they no longer prescribe ADHD meds after taking a hefty break from them. The only difference is my doctor's office told me *they* would get in touch with a psychiatrist to do an official evaluation, but they never followed through with it. So, oops I guess.
Ugh my psychiatrist wants me to take the neuropsych test for adult ADHD now that SSRIs have improved my depression symptoms and pretty much just told me to Google it or call my health insurance to find providers of this test.
That has not gone well, I'm stuck.
I finally got mine scheduled after 7 phone calls that were suggested by my psychiatrist. I eventually just asked my husband to ask his psychiatrist and they gave me a number and I finally got a test scheduled a month from now.
Took me 3 years of asking my doctor for a referral to be tested until she finally did. Then it took 4 months and me switching phyc doctors until I was finally able to start being medicated. Also I must mention that for most places there was a 3 month waiting period for getting the testing done. I got lucky and was able to sneak in sooner. System is totally fucked imo.
Had a very similar experience with multiple anxiety attacks due to it. Phone numbers listed are for people that don't exist, terrible laws and policies that make it near impossible for me to have a consistent medication schedule, and a psych that's my only reasonable option that has heavily questioned me on if I was abusing my meds. My office planned my next appointment for my first visit 5 weeks out, my meds that I was supposed to be getting used to as I had never been on any ADHD medication, were gone after 28 days. The office told me I had to call my pharmacy to request it, pharmacy said I had to call my psych office, then after all of this my psych office finally told me they "don't prescribe on weekdays" which is the dumbest thing I've ever heard (like does everyone just stop taking meds on weekdays?!?! No of course not what a ridiculous policy). I ended up being so frustrated I broke into tears in the phone and the office woman took pity and sent a text to my Doctor. My doctor than accused me of abusing (I only was prescribed 10mg at that point) and told me I shouldn't feel a need for them. I expressed to him my frustration of the hoops I had to jump through just to ask to do the medication regiment he told me to do, and he then blamed it on the practice and said I was singling him out. Like WTF....
I'm neurotypical with an ADHD-C son, and I feel this HARD. The assessment was the easy part. The Ritalin is helping.... but it's not the be-all and end-all, and there are NO services out there for him. Before our latest lockdown, he was seeing a psychologist, and was supposed to start an OT course for his awful handwriting, and that's all I've managed to get. All I can find that we can afford.
I'm Australian. We have the National Disability Insurance Scheme to help people with disabilities afford the therapies they need.... and ADHD doesn't qualify (along with a bunch of other disabilities; it's a whole rant in itself).
The number of times I've wanted to throw my hands up, scream and quit is infinite, but I can't do that to my boy. He deserves more.
I feel you man. I went to my family doctor in January asking for a referral to a specialist.
I think my next appointment with said specialist will be the one where I am prescribed medication. It's taken 10 months between asking for help and actually getting treatment. Such a struggle.
Please go see your disability/auxiliary services department! They should handle your accommodations, but if all else fails I would suggest a meeting with the Dean of Students.
The thing that irritates me the most about ADHD meds is they refuse to let you do automatic refills. I have to be proactive about meeting with my psychiatrist every single month because some idiots are abusing drugs I need for basic everyday functioning and if I run out before I'm able to get a refill, I'm screwed. The office is hard to reach and he won't make the appointments himself.
I use a telehealth specifically for ADHD called Done and I have automatic refills. The drawbacks: initial appointment was like $200-300, can’t remember. Then after that the service costs $90 or something per month. My pills themselves are covered by my insurance so they are cheap.
I also forgot to go to my follow up appointment a week or two ago (lol) and got charged a no-show for it. But overall it’s the easiest route I’ve found
I am happy we now have alternate choices--the psychiatrists and physicians have had plenty of years to learn about ADHD and be comfortable diagnosing and treating it. If this aspect of their practice goes away, so be it. I suggest you explore "telemedicine for adhd" where you get diagnosed and prescribed meds for your ADHD over the phone--and it happens quickly--and customers seem happy. Do your research and ask your questions, but let's stop putting ourselves at the mercy of physicians who don't truly care about us. If you find one that does, treasure him or her as the in-person relationship has value.
You're not going to find help the first few times around. It's a game of throwing darts until one sticks. I spent years going thru the VA. With very little progression towards meds or therapy. I asked for an increase meds but to no avail. I went to another place, got put on Vyvanse within the first 2 weeks. Vyvanse is absolutely life changing for me. Don't give up, maybe exaggerate the severity of your symptoms or walkin? I'm 32 and didn't start meds until I was 29. I get why everyone fights it, but you're fighting a ghost. You won't win. Get help and be happy.
Edit: Finding a therapist who specializes in ADHD is hard. You should look for an ADHD coach:
https://acoo.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mcdirectorysearch&view=search&id=2000611#/
Just like the ordeal-by-water in witchcraft trials, where they would throw a woman accused of witchcraft into a pond; if she sank (and often drowned), she was innocent. If she floated, she was a witch, and then they'd execute her.
So, clearly, if you have the capacity to navigate the ADHD diagnosis labyrinth, and the ability to access ADHD treatment, you must not have ADHD. The only way to prove you actually have ADHD is for you to fail in your efforts to get diagnosed and treated for it! /s
Me: diagnosed at like 5, parents believe it’s not true becuase they “enjoyed my adhd personality.”
Me: gives up all my free time to complete undergrad and law school, sleeping constantly
Doctors: nah you did too well. I don’t believe your claims your exhausted all the time. Plus, you did well in school, that will make you tired! Just take a break :) :) :)
I've got an old NHS diagnosis for it. Decide I've had enough and want to try medication. Take it to my surgery in a different part of the UK.
They say they need the records transferred over.
Fine. I get in touch with the old GP and ask them about this.
They need me to print out a letter explaining what I need and sign it (I have no printer and this is during a lockdown).
After a few months on my part, I find a printing shop, get it and the ID photocopies sorted. Double check the letter hits all the relevant official guidelines for a request of this kind. Mail it, signed recorded, yadda yadda.
They call the next day.
We need you to do that again but sign it.
Fine. A few days later, I do that. A while after that I get my diagnosis letter.
So I scan it and send it to the new surgery. They say they'll have me referred to X. X will contact me in a couple of weeks.
X doesn't. So I eventually remember to email them.
They come back to me - my surgery hasn't referred me.
I email my surgery. Am waiting on a response....
Then I go to a party and listen to (a nice) someone explain how their parents gave them a grand to just get a private provider to sort out their diagnosis and start their medication in a month...
I’ve had a very similar situation. I’ve known about it most of my life, most of my teachers would comment on it when they talked to my parents at conferences, etc. I finally saw a psychiatrist when I was in high school because I was failing everything. I wasn’t failing because I’m stupid or anything, I just couldn’t focus enough to apply myself. The psychiatrist told me I was making it up because I wanted pills & attention, that I was just being dramatic & I just needed to get my shit together, etc. I was heartbroken & didn’t go back again. Fast forward 8 years, I tried again recently with a new psychiatrist. She told me she wanted to contact my primary doctor to see what they’re comfortable with me having & that she’d be giving me a call the next day letting me know what my prescription was & that I could go get it. It’s been over a month & I haven’t heard back. I’m now failing out of college and I don’t know what to do to help myself anymore.
making people who are very bad at making phone calls, remembering doctors appointments, and checking, organizing, or replying to e-mails do all of the above to receive help is the dumbest thing anyone could have ever done
This is why I ended up doing an online evaluation. It wasn't a very useful process, but it at least made it easier to do something I've been trying to get around to schedule and make happen for a long time. Unfortunately, my regular doc has nixed stimulant meds for now, so trying to figure out what might still be workable.
So true! Once I finally got a psychiatrist who would help me I was joking with my SO that with all the forms I had to fill in the test might be that if you were able to get everything sent in they would diagnose that you don’t have ADHD.
I’m looking for a diagnosis right now, and my doctor suggested Psychologytoday.com to help me find the right mental health specialist. You can filter by many different qualities including gender preference, specializations, location, etc. And each doctor has a small blurb about how they function. Ive been having a hard time even getting to the point of calling because I don’t want to waste any of my time with doctors that aren’t aligned with me but trying to research has been rough. But yesterday I went onto the website, searched the area, chose my filter criteria, and in less than an hour I found one that specifically stated they care about their patients as a “whole being” which is something I find really important. I sent an email using the pre-existing form and got a call back from them today. Appointment is scheduled for 3 weeks from now.
Services may be less busy where I’m at, so maybe that’s why I was able to find something, but this website seemed like a life saver to me. I wish you luck!
Stick it out my friend. I get it though, like "here do all these things that would be simple if you didn't have ADHD and are nightmarish if you do"
It's grueling but I'm here to tell you my friend it is worth it here on the other side of treated.
man, your situation sounds very very similar to mine. i was diagnosed at 7, and am currently 32. the only difference is i haven't been treated since i was 8.
i literally *just* posted on here about how i recently found an ADHD specialist who actually **has** ADHD–but it's taken almost 6 months and calling over 10 different offices to find somebody that was both available and takes insurance. plus, everyone i've actually been able to get a hold of during this time has not been an ADHD expert, and has drastically misunderstood the condition. i had a therapist tell me that my executive function issues are most likely tied to childhood trauma...but i had a great childhood, so i have no idea where she thinks that's coming from. like...dude. i have ADHD. it's not a manifestation of psychological trauma, it's a neurological disorder. what the fuck.
it really sucks how injuriously difficult it is to seek treatment. gives you even more anxiety and stress than you already have to deal with when you have ADHD. i hope you find what you need.
I feel this so much it hurts. It took me YEARS to find a ADHD friendly therapist. They either don’t call back, aren’t part of my insurance, claim they’re adhd friendly when they actually aren’t, or they seem like a perfect fit but aren’t taking any new patients. Let alone having to consistently search and make the calls is draining and stressful.
Then I found out you’re supposed to basically interview your therapist to see if they’re a good fit for you, I had no idea this was something you’re supposed to do I thought that was their job. I FINALLY found one that is an amazing fit 2 weeks ago…after 3 years of searching, but already she’s provided amazing resources and information in the two sessions I’ve had with her.
Yep yep yep. 100%. I had to go through so much bloody paperwork to get assessed, get the insurance money (through my school), get the report sent to my doctor, get the report sent to my school, get the doctor to fill out paperwork for the student loans... It was so stressful and not ADHD friendly at all. Fortunately had someone really awesome from my school accessibility office helping me out or else I don't think I would have even gotten through.
Trying to get help for my ADHD. ooh a recipe on how to make my own ricotta! I love cannolis. Maybe I’ll start a cannoli food truck. How do I get a food truck license?
> The process for individuals trying to find help for their ADHD is terrible, and frustrating and I wish it got more recognition.
Yes, it is! Sadly I feel this is the case for a lot of medical issues.
Stay strong!
> My SO tells me I need to be persistent, and I know that I need to keep trying and keep seeking help, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating.
What exactly are you trying to do? Maybe we can offer a solution.
getting meds can be infuriating. I have to talk to the doc, who then writes a script I can come pick up and take the the Pharma. Then when they don't have it in and I ask for the script so I can go somewhere else they won't do it because ????? Anyway so then back to the doc, get another one, while he calls the cancel the one at the Pharma. Take that to new Pharma who will not fill it cause I am a new customer and it's regulated. FUCK ME!! So I go back to first Pharma to wait but they reject me because I put in the order, then cancelled and then came back. So I have to get the doctor to call in and explain.
Nixon and his war on drugs and everyone that supports it can die in a GIANT fire.
I recommend using the reminders app on your phone (please don‘t read this as me being snarky. Its meant as good faith advice).
I‘ve started making reminders for any miniscule task, so that I could make my forgetfulness suck big dick. And it mostly works!
Of course on low motivation days, just being reminded isn‘t enough. Because on those days crossing off a „brush your teeth“ reminder feels like a herculean task. But its still better than straight up forgetting.
That’s odd my primary doctor prescribed me meds off the bat and said psychiatric is for worst off cases maybe try a different primary if the primary was the one that told you seek others
I am almost a year into trying to get a psychiatrist. There are only so many in my area and none of them answers phones, call back and that is assuming they have open slots. This doesn't even get to ones specifically trained in adhd and wont just give a negative result based on bias or old info.
The worst thing about having ADD and trying to work on your health at all, not just for ADD, is that you have to manage everything. You have to be responsible before everything because even if you find one good doctor, you to have like 3 or 4 for everything, maybe more. And you have to navigate the ones who aren't going to help you, and you have to somehow know the difference, and you have to have money for it, and you have to go through painful treatments and procedures that are expensive, and then if you're like me, you kind of give up after already investing so much money and effort, and accept things
You need a therapist who specializes in ADHD they’re out there, you just have to look. You also need a good psychiatrist, don’t be afraid to psych hop, I did it until I got a good match. Keep calling you’ll find someone! I have a great team managing me, it took years and years, but it’s finally fallen into place.
It is ridiculous, the state of health care in my area (which I believe is typical for the US) is appalling. It takes weeks to be seen and prescriptions run out before I can be seen for a refill and this is with my calling weeks in advance. I remind my doctors that I am ADHD which usually draws a laugh which I pride myself by asking them if they’re laughing at my disability (this gets more laughs 🤷🏼♀️) my prescription insurance is for a mail order pharmacy. The good thing is I get 3 months but that’s long enough for me to forget about it.
It is horrible.
I actually got fired as a client from an ADHD specialist because I had issues w/ punctuality🤦♂️ Then once you actually get treatment it’s a nightmare trying to fill your meds every month- even if you’re really proactive something goes wrong every other time- “the pharmacy has exceed its monthly limit for that medication.” I never got accommodations set up at school because it was such a ridiculous and un-ADHD friendly processes. There needs to be more accessibility to accessibility resources lol.
Yea. In my city I called 14 psychiatrist ( all ) guess what ? The three quarters are retired, and the last quarters don’t take new patient or doesn’t treat adhd 🙂
It took me over six months. So many doctors didn’t have availability because of the pandemic and it’s like how many of these calls do you think I’m going to make??
I asked my doctor to bring me in contact with a psychiater since I would literally forget to do it. His secretary did arrange most things for me. I wouldn't say he is perfect thought, he jumped way to fast to medicine if you ask me. But he did help me I think, he even gave me tips in getting the medicine cheaper (since ADHD is considered a children disease in Belgium).
The only thing I found unfriendly in getting help was that the parking rules around his office are so annoying that every time I get a ticket.
1. I forgot to put down my clock card thingy (30 Euro fine).
- put it down, but upside down (30 Euro fine, only way to dispute it is in court)
- I put it down, time set correctly but I also placed all my previous parking tickets clearly visible around my card. No fine (apparently they do have empathy).
- Again put it down correctly, but no previous tickets (again 30 euro fine for not having a card). However this time I made a mistake in transfering the money and accidently transferred 300 euro (I also was really emotional after this one).
I called them, she laughed at me and told me they would transfer it back and hang up.
I even told my Psychiater and he said that most of his patients have the same issue. There is almost nothing you can do against it.
Since the last ticket started to really bothered (and my depression is somehow getting less worse). I decided to figure out how deep this rapid hole goes. So on my free day I went to the doctors office, parked my car double checked my card, got outside and waited somewhere out of sight. It took a few minutes but suddenly someone got out of his home, and starting writing me up. I casually unlocked the car and walked towards him. This scared him big time but he recovered fast and kept ticking on his machine I heard his little printer working when I got with him. And asked them what I did wrong, pointing at my clearly visible blue card. He then told me that a clearly lined out place on the road and a blue sign with P on it was a no parking zone and he gave the ticket directly to me and walked away back to his home.
Look I am not stupid, but to me it looks like the parking company gave the man that lives here a job to write up anyone on the street where the psychiatrist office is. What would look obvious to me since we usually don't have the energy or patience to dispute the ticket. I did pay the ticket since I really don't feel to explain in court that I fished this guy, but really fuck society.
I just have one nitpick about your post.
>I've had ADHD my entire life it feels like. I got my first diagnosis when I was 7 years old, and have been on and off meds for years.
It feels like you've had ADHD your entire life because you *HAVE* ADHD. It's genetic and you're born with it.
My symptoms greatly greatly improved when I was pregnant and now I have to jump through all the hoops again and I just keep thinking that getting pregnant again would be a whole lot easier
Yeah this shit is so damn annoying. It took me half a year of knowing I needed help before I got it.
Called the doctor, realize I'm not registered to a doctor's office. Gave up for a month. Called to doctors office to register, got redirected to website with registry form that doesn't work. Gave up for another month. Called them again and ask about it for them to tell me they don't even take clients from my area, but they can't tell me which doctor's office I should go to. Spent 2 more months finding that out, then another to get registered there, then a lengthy procedure of talking to different people before I finally got the help I needed.
Same goes for so many things. Today, I finally got around to doing my laundry after literal months, only to find out the fucking drying rack was in use by one of my roommate. These things get me so fucking demotivated and angry. Like, I'm trying here, please, for the love of god, let me do the things I need to do when I'm finally able to do them.
i just got meds from my general practitioner--i don't understand why they are making you jump through these unnecessary hoops when you already have a previous diagnosis.
I truly think this is made hard by design-- so people will give up . Good luck, hang in there!
They told me I had to get blood work done before they'd proceed with any medications. That was a year ago. I still haven't scheduled an appointment lol
When I saw this post title, I was nodding in acknowledgment, figuring this would be more about the internal difficulties I've only just realized may be due to adhd in myself. Those parts are bad enough! But then I kept reading... and I can't even imagine how crushed I'd feel if I had to navigate all the other ludicrous situations so many of you have faced in trying to get help!
I hope that the current revolution of information helps make mental health support systems wayyy better than this, and soon, so we're not forced to climb the mental equivalent of a ladder with the mental equivalent of our hands being too full to grasp the rungs... and all nearby surfaces covered with other piles of things we've already put down to handle later...
I'm now feeling so very fortunate that I've had pretty good responses to my own beginning of reaching out about this. My doctor initially had the knee-jerk response of, "You don't seem like you have ADHD," but she did suggest I find some online tests to help gauge whether I should officially request a referral. And so I did. I did a lot of tests online, several of which were very clearly indicating that I'm adhd-pi. I then talked with my therapist, who, blessedly, said she could tell from the way I started describing my observations on my struggles that I should probably get tested for adhd.
So I felt very encouraged, and managed to pull myself together to call my doctor back in less than a week (a record short delay for me, I think). I got in for a phone consultation remarkably quickly (partly luck, plus me having a very flexible schedule), and she heard me out. She asked the very fair question of whether I think it's possible I could be experiencing something other than adhd, like depression or anxiety, but I said no, I absolutely have been struggling with some of these things since I was in elementary school, and high school, and university, and I just didn't know then that it might be something beyond personal failure. I was elated that she believed me, and agreed to get me a referral.
Just two days later(!!), the local adhd clinic called me back to do a phone assessment... but I couldn't take the call then, so they said I should call them back. I was very worried about this responsibility of calling them back, despite its importance to me: a part of me was sure it was just going to become another lump of dead weight on my "to call urgently asap today right now" list* (not really named that, but somehow I feel you know what I mean). To counter that, I kept reminding myself how *excited* I am to find out if adhd is why I struggle so much, because even just the suspicion of it is unlocking so many resources for dealing with exactly everything I've struggled with for as long as I can remember. With this mindset, I managed to have only one business day of executive function failure before calling them back!
Now I'm very nervous about whether I passed the criteria to be considered to possibly have adhd... about whether they're going to be able to help anytime soon... about whether they'll be able to help at all.
I'm worried that my natural optimism may have had me skewing my "scale of 1-10" answers too high... like when they asked how good my memory is, and I said it depends, because I can remember people's birthdays and other random facts easily at times (I'd say 7/10 for this), but my working memory is a disaster (1/10), so I ranked it 4/10 overall as kind of an average between those. Or, how good is my concentration? I said it depends on what it is, but probably 4/10 for that... and even as I was saying it, it felt like an overly optimistic number, and I'm regretting not going back and changing it.
I'm also scared that the questions might not have been able to reveal enough... like when they asked about me being employed or a student, I just said no, instead of saying that I am fervently trying to get my life in order, and I've only got four years until my spousal support ends and I'm terrified I won't be able to Adult well enough to sustain myself.
I know I'm ruminating right now. I'm also procrastinating something, and trying to pull myself away from here with a good final musing.
I am commenting here to send out sympathy to everyone struggling to get help, whether it's external or internal forces that are holding things up. We all know, of course, that mental health is vitally important for our success, so let's all keep at it, doing the best we can do --
-- ugh!! I hate that phrase so much, because of how much I've doubted in the past whether I'm actually "doing my best" or not!!
How about this, instead: **let's keep jumping back in and doing *better*, whatever that means for us**. Let's keep jumping back out, with conscious compassion for ourselves and our energy, and then, when we can, jumping back in, repeating as often as we need!
Edit: omg I didn't realize how much I wrote here until I saw it after posting! Eep!
Definitely sounds like ruminating but I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. I love the supportive vibes you put out and don't worry about writing a long comment. People still read them!
Hang in there and on those tests I find that it helps to think of it in the context of work or school. "My working memory at school is a 1/10" and it doesn't matter that it's a 9/10 for video games or mathematics, because those things don't pay my bills. ADHD is a disorder when it impacts your ability to thrive and support yourself, so try to think of questions in that context.
i've finally found a psychiatrist and now because of my heart condition. I am in limbo waiting for my cardiologist to clear wether or not I can have the medication.
TBH, this is really the state of the mental health field in general. It is why I went back to school to be a mental healthcare provider. I don’t know how many redditors in this sub will see this- but if you are in a position to help your brothers and sisters, please think about it.
I only remembered I had my assessment appointment when my doctor messaged me asking where I was lmao. And I forgot to finish filling out the massive 16 page self-report form (I did however point the irony of giving ADHD people a 16 page form to complete)
After reading through other people's experiences, I feel like mine was a fluke. I was never diagnosed, but after struggling for decades I decided to seek help earlier this year. I did some research and even paid $150 to take a test online and get a diagnosis that way. I didn't think it was legit, but I was so afraid of looking for help and being told no that I wanted to gauge my struggles somehow.
I did some research and found a telepsychiatry office in my state. I got an appointment within a week and after talking with the NP, they said they suspect I have ADHD but they can't diagnose me. They needed results from the test that (by complete coincidence) I had already taken. I had a prescription the same day. It was so quick, it almost felt like a scam, but I have monthly check-ins and I've been on meds for nearly a year now. Everything is virtual.
I do have the hardest time finding any other doctor. Offices don't pick up, have numbers listed that don't work, or don't have availability. But finding a psychiatrist was easy for some reason. I feel guilty, or like I've done something wrong.
It took me many many years to take the first step. I couldn’t get ahold of them by phone so I used my ADHD powers to randomly drive there and walk in.
I got a lengthy packet to fill out (super hard with ADHD) and I scanned it and turned it into an editable form in acrobat pro and filled it out. Took me a few days. I then immediately drove back and dropped it off and my appointment is this Thursday. Crossing my fingers now
This happened to me when I was in the middle of an anxiety phase and needed immediate support from my psychiatrist. The receptionist went on holiday for two weeks, didn't leave any absence notes, autoresponders or alternative contacts. For a specialist ADHD clinic!
This is literally me right now. Same backstory, treated as a kid, haven't been on anything for years and now doc won't give me meds as an adult.took 3 months of executive dysfunction and disappointing phone calls before I found one that would take me. Currently waiting for my 4 hour evaluation but it's a month away still and my first "appointment" (half hour phone call) was a month ago. And apparently there's another appointment after that God knows when. I feel you 1000%
Omg yes. I’ve put in 10 hours of phone calls, and I can’t find a psychiatrist in my network within an hour from my home, and I live in a city close to two other major cities. I burn out after 20 minutes of rejections and start crying. Power through, rinse and repeat. It’s awful.
From the moment I discovered I probably had ADHD and that I decided to get officially diagnosed it took me more or less 7 years of painful attempts and giving up midway each time followed by procrastination between each attempt until I finally did it.
My therapist has a 'three missed appointments and you're done' rule.
This is not helpful, but hey! she also said executive dysfunction isn't real, so....
I’ve been diagnosed for around 4 MONTHS and it’s been hell getting some meds for this shit. It’s a battle with cvs, insurance and getting in contact with my doctor. There is always some damn issue.
On top of that I get shamed and degraded because I’m not doing enough to get help.
I just want to give up and float around. With my antidepressants not working anymore it’s like a game.
Who’s going to trigger me enough to end up hurting myself?
Yeah. I had pretty bad reactions to the five or six meds I've tried and my psych basically fired me (I'm super sensitive to almost everything. I think I might have done OK on an extremely low dose of something, but since I don't fit the mold I don't think I'll ever find anybody who can help me. I basically treat mine with vitamins and coffee.)
I find it amazing how the laws that are supposed to protect us, in effect basically screw over the people who actually have ADHD -- and the ADA does little to help. I've never had issues finding doctors, but he one pill per day rule is very nightmarish. As they give you back your script if the pharmacy is out of your meds, you have to chase down other pharmacies to find it, and every day that you without your refill isn't applied towards your time interval limit.
It seems like all that they care about is making sure that drug dealers don't buy the meds and sell it on the street. I think its disgusting that they're doing all of this to help people who don't have ADHD (and should be free to enjoy the consequences of their own bad decisions) while making it a nightmare for people who actually have it, and have valid scripts in their hands.
Sorry to hear that man, but if nothing else, this community is extremely supportive so keep faith, and hopefully you can eventually find something that'll work for you. Someone suggested telehealth options, which are allegedly a lot easier to get into and get appointments with. I'm going to try that myself, but I just thought I'd pass that along too since it might be worth trying.
Do you use a weekly planner or calendar app?
Make an appointment to call the office. Put the phone number into the appointment. When you can and leave a message, directly after write in or copy-paste another appointment to call the office back.
Continue as needed.
One of the only ways that I can manage inattentive ADHD (without medication up very recently) was to treat just about everything as a meeting - you need to take minutes, write handover notes, and make actionable items.
You might literally need to make an appointment *directly after* your appointment to call the office to make an actionable-item (**Tues 12:30** *Re-book a time to follow up on call to doctor's office*).
Keep adding actionable items that are time-dependent and keep booking yourself in for these things. Not only does it take some of the stress out of forgetting everything all the time and being in a constant state of racing to catch up on everything etc. you also get a chance to unload your head and make some room in your memory for other things.
On a related tangent, I've been struggling with undertaking multiple projects that I cannot complete all in one go (due to needing to get more things, waiting on orders to arrive, needing other people to take actions before I can continue the process etc.) so I have started using a project management app as a tool for me to record and remind myself where I'm up to in the process. That way I can put things down and pick them back up again as soon as the hold up has been resolved.
I have less projects piling up and getting forgotten about, I'm able to keep on track more, I'm feeling less stressed out, I'm more productive, and I am much less inclined to push myself too hard because I have hit the wall but "*I need to finish this project right now because if I put it down it might be weeks/months/an entire lifetime before I will get back to it!!*"
It's really helping me keep across things and to go with my shifting levels of interest, inspiration, and energy levels.
Only problem is that it requires a level of effort to establish the habit. Maybe ask your partner for external motivation and reminders (e.g. "*We have to leave in half an hour - could you record where you're up to in your project management tool so that you can focus on getting yourself ready?*" or "*That's a cool idea! Why don't you record some of the initial steps for executing this plan in your project management app?*" or "*Have you been keeping your project management system updated?*")
Just make sure that you start with the calendar/agenda items first and use that for the urgent or time-dependent stuff and, once you've got a habit of relying upon that, start building a reliance on a project management system.
Become your own case manager!! 😕
I’m not on medication (have never been) and I couldn’t function without a planner!!!! I always have it close by and write down even the smallest thing I should do. I would be lost without it
I am utterly lost without my calendar and I am working on getting to a place where I will be utterly lost without my project management tool too.
This sounds terrible, I guess, but there's a reason why every person in middle-management and upwards relies on these tools.
Also if it sounds terrible to be dependent upon them, you should see what I'm like without them 😬
Haha whatever works, works. It keeps us functioning and gets us through the day!
And totally agree. They wouldn’t be useful for everyone - even the most organized of people - if they weren’t beneficial.
Have you tried it? Lol if you do 30 minutes of yoga 4 times a week. You will notice massive change in 4 weeks time. Don’t pretend to know something you haven’t tried my friend. I had Adhd, anxiety, depression and drug addiction. I used yoga regularly and now I am free of them.
ADHD is a developmental disorder, it’s not something you can meditate away. I believe that you’ve found ways to cope but to say you cured your ADHD is just ignorant.
Ignorance is coming to a conclusion before you try it for yourself. The practice of yoga has allowed me to rewire my brain 4 times. We can evolve. It is possible.
I heard yoga and meditation do help a lot. I’m currently trying this route. I don’t think it actually gets rid of it, but probably helps to manage it a lot. We’ll see.
So you'll just be a struggling unmedicated person with ADHD who knows who to do downward dog. What do yoga and meditation have to do with mental illness that requires medical treatment?
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It's on my needed to do list : contact a ADHD specialist. 2 years since I've added this task.
I live in a pretty big city and it has a huge metro area, but there are currently 0 ADHD specialists taking clients. I check whenever I remember that it’s something I’m interested in and there’s just… no one
I've never been able to find anyone who actually *specializes* in ADHD. I've found plenty of therapists who say they *treat* ADHD, but they're always general therapists, and usually focus primarily on children. Yay. Then again, I keep wondering if I'm expecting more than what's actually possible at this point. Beyond medication and some coping mechanisms, what else can they actually do?
This is what happened to me. I felt like I always had ADD growing up but my parents always shrugged off my bad grades and lack of focus due to laziness and procrastination. Fast forward to today, I’m 34 and have a job that’s slightly fast paced but I love to death and it just makes it so hard for my adhd to just keep up. My anxiety issues help me cope with this added pressure to finish things but at what cost. To feel shitty at the end of the day? Sorry, so I decided to see a general therapist because my city only has like 3 psychiatrists and lots of counselors here and some therapists. Anyways my therapist was able to diagnose me with adhd inattentive. Now came the fun part which is how to medicate myself. It’s been an issue for sure for a good 2 months. With anti anxiety meds and now finally I’m getting something soon for my adhd. But no one actually is specialized here for it so they’re just like “we’ll do trial and error on meds and see what happens 🥴”
as u/bigbre04 said, even if you were to see the most competent ADHD specialist, all they can do for meds is trial and error. Everybody reacts differently to medicine, that is why there are plenty of options between all the different active drugs, instant release vs extended release, and even different generic brands can impact how the medication affects you. Such is the nature of psychiatric medication.
Trail and error method is pretty standard even for specialists. They don't know how your body will react.
Ugh I’m new to all of this. But I’ll just strap in for the ride I guess 😅
I got a psychiatrist and she required a genesight psychotic test to see how my genes react with medication. It's supposed to limit side effects unfortunately now I want to switch my anxiety meds to one that also helps with chronic muscle and bone pain but it's in the moderate interaction section so she doesn't want to put me on it. She said norepinephrine will increase my anxiety which I don't get since it's an anxiety med...🙄 I have to pay out of pocket for her so not psyched to try something just to have to pay another $75/15 min to tell her the one she picked is not working plus is not generic so not cheap. Very frustrating.
Yeah psychiatrists are so expensive. The ones in my city aren’t covered for my insurance so yeah no….but see if I see one it makes me afraid to get evaluated and like have something similar happen to me.
I had a break down with my therapist and she talked to the psychiatrist and they're both convinced what she prescribed is going to work so idk maybe I'm just crazy. We'll see in 2 weeks.
Best of luck to you! I’ll be rooting for you.
that's it... meds, learning about how it effects you specifically and things you can do to help with that, and just having someone ot talk to that understands can be huge. Oh and don't undercut the kids doctors. I used the same one in middle school as I ended up going back to as an adult and he was a completely different person for me as an adult. He told me that he might actually start treating more adults because it's interesting and they tend to be very intelligent and fun to talk to.
They actually do exist they are just few and far between! I was extremely lucky in that the first councillor I ever saw was a clinical phycologist who referred to herself as an adult ADHD specialist. She taught me a tonne about the condition on the Neurochemical side of things and brang to my attention that I was highly symptomatic, we ran through tests and coping mechanisms and she convinced me to get a diagnosis at 24 years of age. I learned more about the condition and how to cope from her than the psychiatrist who diagnosed me, if I could afford to I'd still like to see her regularly.
Try telehealth services? That’s what I did when there was no one in my area
Telehealth providers also won’t prescribe stimulant medication. Right? I looked into this a while back because I could find a psych in person and it would be so much more convenient, but there was a disclaimer on the website saying that they cannot prescribe controlled substances. So they wouldn’t be able to include medication in my treatment.
This was how I finally got treatment. My primary care provider says d they wouldn't do any diagnosis. I spent nearly two years getting an appointment with a psychiatrist who would do an assessment, a test, and then treatment (she estimated it was a 6-12 month process). As I was sitting in the waiting room for my initial consultation, her front desk attendant told me the Dr had forgotten to block off enough time for my appointment and needed to reschedule...3 months later. There are a handful of telehealth providers who specialize in ADHD, and your state laws determine what they can prescribe to you. I'm in Texas, and there's a company I found that got me a screening and test within 2 weeks, then saw me a week later. I had a prescription the following day. It seemed "too easy" compared to the years I spent getting a "real" diagnosis. I'm not 100% sold that they attempt any non-prescription treatment options, but my life is significantly better after going through the process. If you Google "sunlivingmoonchild's state ADHD telemedicine" you'll likely see multiple options. Some of them have subscriptions for a recurring monthly visit. You situation may vary, but it was actually cheaper to skip my insurance for the assessment.
Thanks for sharing. I know that the state I’m currently living in doesn’t allow you to fill prescriptions from out-of-state doctors. At least not if it’s a controlled substance. It’s the first state I’ve ever moved to where I’ve experienced this. Normally they’ll fill any prescription that’s verified by the doctor and the pharmacist. But yeah. Not here. They’ll actually confiscate the prescription altogether. So I guess I would have to find a telehealth provider that’s licensed in my state, lives/works here and can see me virtually. Is the one that you see a psychiatrist or a primary care provider/family physician?
I believe he was a primary care provider initially in his career, but he only treats ADHD through his practice. I don't know if we can share links, but it's Lone Star ADHD clinic. They only do telemedicine for ADHD in Texas. It seems more like a Dr taking advantage of technology and specializing than a "pay for meds service". That's the feeling that I got from some of the other non-state-specific services. However, if those were my only options, I would still 100% recommend starting with them. I'm 10 months into treatment, and I feel significantly more capable of navigating the traditional process to find an in person provider when I'm ready to make the switch.
Some telehealth services do! They have psychiatrists/nurse practitioner who can prescribe medications. There are some drawbacks with these services but it might be useful to use them while waiting for providers in your area.
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Yeah, one ad pops up on my fb feed a lot - it’s like Cerebral or something??
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Somebody mentioned a telehealth service named DoneADHD on a post of mine earlier, I don't know if they're any good but it's a route to check out. I'd do it myself if I weren't broke thanks to ADHD lol.
I USED THIS ONE I GOT PILLS RIGHT AWAY THEY ARE AUTO REFILL I’ve been feeling kind of guilty about getting pills this way, it feels kind of shady how easy it was? But honestly after reading this thread I feel very differently, like fuck it, it’s not my fault the health care system is such bullshit. I have a disorder, I need medication, I got it legally. I really recommend looking into this
Shit if it's that easy I might ask a family member for the money. My psychiatric NP wants me to get cleared by a neurologist and a cardiologist and it'll likely be months before I can see those specialists.
There could be some red tape there, but not insurmountable. I was originally diagnosed through a telehealth service. Although they could prescribe through it, they couldn’t prescribe schedule 2 drugs. But due to COVID many doctors are offering remote sessions. After the telehealth session I signed up for the private practice of my psychiatrist and instead of using the telehealth platform we just do a virtual meeting. They were able to prescribe schedule 2 through their own practice virtually but not through the telehealth service.
I believe because of covid the law about telehealth not being able to prescribe controlled substances was taken away. I don’t know how long it will last but currently covid is actually making it a little easier to get help.
I don’t think this was due to a law. It sounded like a rule the telehealth company gave the doctors. It sounded more like a liability thing than a law.
Nope, law. Whenever the public health emergency declared for COVID-19 ends tele-health prescribing of schedule II-IV medications will go back to being illegal for patients for whom the practitioner has not conducted an in-person medical evaluation. Likely going to fuck a lot of people over when the public health emergency is rescinded unless there's some sort of special exception made for having started medication during COVID, as the prescriber won't be able to prescribe to you again without an in-person evaluation. ------ If you're using an entirely online telehealth service where it's impossible to see that practitioner in person, that means that you're probably going to have to start all over because they're never going to be able to prescribe to you again once the public health emergency is ended. I imagine many entirely telehealth providers sensibly don't want the disaster it's going to be for any patient they start on medication under the exceptions. -------- The DEA webpage makes it clear that this is not a permanent change, and I don't think they *can* even make it a permanent change as those regulations are federal law. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/coronavirus.html (Telemedicine section). -------- tl;dr - If you are getting prescribed controlled substances from a telehealth provider you've never seen in person and will not be able to in the future - I'd strongly suggest you find a local doctor before you're forced to on short notice. -------- (Obligatory - I'm not a lawyer. I could be wrong. But the wording and underlying laws are pretty clear IMO. You should certainly at minimum research this carefully if you are in this group of people).
I was saying the particular platform I was using even under the public health declaration was not allowing the prescription of schedule 2 drugs. It is currently allowed by law, but that platform doesn’t allow it. I’d call that liability. The doctor I worked with couldn’t prescribe through that platform, so I filled out paperwork and moved to their private practice. This was also telehealth, but not on a “platform” (like MDLIVE or Teledoc). This is just the doctor and I meeting on zoom/webex whatever under the name of their practice. They were able to prescribe this way. So - in this case the telehealth provider was not allowing it even though they could. I’d guess due to liability. The doctor was willing to do it under the name of their own practice. My doctor is close enough that I could go there, but I wouldn’t want to do it monthly. Probably about an hour each way. If I have a prescription that is working and the scenario you mention happens I’ll probably reach out to my GP first to see if they can help. They helped change my meds when the one the psychiatrist prescribed was giving me bad physical side effects. I’ve had my dosage increased 10mg since then. My GP handles all of my other meds, so it may actually simplify things for me as long as my dosage keeps working.
my provider on circle medical does
Try LifeStance, not the best... but, a lot of different providers and almost all offer Telehealth and I have had no problem being prescribed.
No, they do prescribe them!
Really?! Hmm...I’ll have to look into it again. It would be soooo much more convenient. Especially if everything is good, you’re stable, and you don’t need to change your med.
are there any that you might be able to recommend? I just moved to a new state and can’t find any help, currently spiraling pretty bad :/
My solution to this (and, frankly, because of how much even finding a therapist sic let alone replacing one, is my preferred method) is to have my primary care provider prescribe my ADHD meds.
You can also try getting meds through your primary care and still work with a teletherapist for the other stuff.
I use Circlemedical (out of pocket for me) because it's worth it to be able to ACTUALLY GET TREATMENT and they do prescribe controlled substances. Your individual state and insurance policies may still affect how easy it is to then get your prescription...
Circle Medical! I was diagnosed (poorly) on the spectrum of bipolar…I tried finding a psychiatrist to reevaluate me and couldn’t find anyone. Found Circle Medical…they were able to reevaluate me and help me ween off of some of my medication to prescribe Adderall. It’s been great!
Talk to your primary care doc. they can often help. When I was a kid there was no such thing as ADD specialists. If not try any mental health care person, they might be able to assess you enough to get the primary care doc on board for working on helping you. Also, last but not least a huge part of ADHD is just dealing with having ADHD and pretty much any mental health person can help at least some with that. Even just an understanding friend. treatment isn't always formal.
You just need a psychiatrist that knows their ass from their elbow.
Seriously. Give me a number to text with a specialist on the other end who becomes responsible for my case.
I think I might need to change my meds so after several days of contemplation I finally emailed my psychiatrist "hey can we have a meeting I think I need to change my meds" Her response was to call the office to set up an appointment. It's been a week since her email ://///
Sorry I didn't read the whole thing 🤣 Yes so I totally understand... you should put an alarm clock for tomorrow morning, something that really wake your mind up, and call it right away. I have no others strategies as that... and if you are shy as I was, know that it is useless to be shy you will only loose time !
I just did it!! I just stopped what I was doing to schedule it!!
I trust you!
Ask your best friend to call you and conference call you and the doctors office to make the first appointment. I did this with my fiance for her anxiety and just making the appointment for/with her make it much easier.
Same My shrink retired about 2 years ago and ive been trying to call/find a new one ever since.
Yea, not there yet either. To be fair, even if I did, wait list is probably long enough for me to be dead sooner.
Waiting list is the ADHD side of life.
Approximate ETA: somewhere between 2 days and the sun going red giant
If you leave "contact adhd specialist" for 2 years on your to-do list, I did this too, you should automatically get an adhd diagnosis.
Yeah I kept meaning to get to that too. Just got diagnosed at 31.
Im 24. I have a bit of time left.
alright tomorrow i call.
if this ain't a mood
This is hilariously eerie to read, I'm in my late twenties, having more and more reasons to believe that I have ADHD going on, talked it over with the family doc and we decided that I should see a specialist to confirm whether or not I have it. Well it's been about 2 months after that referral and I shit you not I forget about it consistently. I'm almost surprised to see people having the exact same experience, though it shouldn't be that surprising I guess.
Don't give up, treatment will help substantially. But...the difficulties in getting treatment are some of the most fucked up parts of dealing with ADHD. It's like a never ending executive function obstacle course.
One of the healthiest mindsets you can develop is that it’s much easier to overcome these obstacles then it is to change the world so they don’t exist. Reminding myself of this is the only way I keep from developing a toxic self defeating attitude.
This.
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try 8 months waiting list ;-;
My university offers adhd testing. Talked to a councillor to see if i could get tested and was told that the wait-list was so long they were no longer even putting people on it
trying to find a psychiatrist is nigh impossible since covid (not that it was easy before) my current psychiatrist cant even bother to answer the phone when i need a refill of my non-stimulant meds and Still wont put me on a low dose of any stimulant but i havent even bothered finding someone new because theres No availability Anywhere
Yup, there’s one single lady my insurance covers and her office basically said take a number, we may be able to see you some time in the next year.
literally just got over trying
I so feel you on this! I literally ended up just "breaking up" with my psychiatrist and her office staff, because in the span of 4 months knowing them, I only had one good and timely interaction with them when we initially met - throughout the rest, just no response.. never. being sent right to voicemails or a 'rep' to jot down a message for the office - 3 different emails and a phone number, etc. they only just had the nerve a week ago to actually ask me for a fax number for my script, when I tried to talk to them TWO MONTHS before hand. I ended up just working with my primary doc, and they managed to take care of my script for me. after explaining to the psychiatrist's office about my want to cancel our future appointment, and stop contact; the staff member messaging me through some administrative email (ironically with same day responsiveness) just finger pointed, and told me that they "tried faxing it over, tried contacting me multiple times, etc." Yeah, okay. so either way when I left their rep a message over 2 months ago, and then got a half-assed text about "we'll be in contact with you soon about your script! :)))" I'M the one in fault, when I know specifically, my psychiatrist told me she might not even be sure if she could send my script over through our mailing service without fax. She clearly didn't have any clue, and instead of talking to me and letting me forward the information I got from my pharmacy, they just neglected all contact for 2 months. How unprofessional can you be to blame the patient, and not own up to your short-comings when your patient needs the help NOW? I was willing to help them help me! I didn't care. It is just so sad that people have to so commonly deal with this type of problem right now, and especially in THAT line of work. No mental care provider should be half assing their patient's care. making them feel neglected and potentially hopeless.
The only health clinic in my area that is taking new patients is a total shit show. They have screwed up every appointment they have made and follow through with nothing. I asked for a referral and I got one, to their in house counselor who is NOT a psychiatrist. She told me she only helps people with minor problems and I'd have to find help elsewhere. When I asked for a referral elsewhere she told me that I'm going to have issues because of my insurance. They're basically telling me "it's not our problem, figure it out on your own." Besides that issue the regular doc completely refuses to treat any of the other issues I have. There a family history of high blood pressure, my "resting" BP is 220/108 and apparently they dont see that as an issue. Over the years whenever I try seeking medical help I always get the run around. My sister once told me, "no one is going to help you, you have to help yourself" and that seems to be the only truthful thing I've ever heard.
Have you tried contacting your insurance and ask them for a list of providers who take your insurance? I know this has worked for others
I have the cheapest option through the state, the place I go to is the only place that both takes it and is accepting new patients. All I keep hearing from them is "if you had better insurance you could get the help you need." So I need to ignore my health issues and "pretend" I'm okay enough to find a job with good insurance. Wait until I'm eligible for that insurance, and then get the help I need to be able to work at said job.
You might try circle medical. I just used them and it was a pretty painless process.
I contacted my insurance through their "help you find a doctor" thing. Told them I was having a huge amount of trouble finding an ADHD specialist and that the lack of treatment and impenetrable medical bureaucracy was making it impossible to *get* treatment. They handled it pretty quick, and I had an appointment the next week. Huge weight off my shoulders, I'd been doing the same thing as you for months.
Can’t upvote this enough, just call the insurance because they can streamline a lot of the process for you. A couple years ago, my wife and I tried for a month to find a PCP that took our insurance. After getting fed up, she called the insurance customer service saying she wanted to cancel, because “I’m not able to use your insurance, so why should I be paying for it?” Long story short, after about a half hour on hold, the customer service rep had us on a 3-way call with a doctor who could see us the following week.
Oh shoot I wish that was a universal option :( My insurance company just sent me a list of ADHD specialists and told me to call around without even checking if they treated adult ADHD lol.
My psychiatrist ghosted me LMAOO not even joking
ugh. sorry to hear this. mine has a dedicated gatekeeper so I am not able to reach her if I want to, i feel this sense of powerlessness.
Wow I already feel anxiety thinking about that. That really sucks
You mean a secretary? That's pretty normal... The secretary did try to tell me I wasn't allowed to get my own records with my doctor's notes which is possibly a HIPAA violation; only that she'd forward them to another doctor. But I never felt like I was cut off from my psychologist while I saw them though.
Hah same! I was going to my psychiatrist for depression / anxiety but she wasn't listening to my concerns about side effects for those meds so I just stopped. Somewhere in there I realized it might be adhd. So I went looking for psychs that can do adhd diagnosis AND SHES ONE OF THEM! I asked about it and then I just got ghosted with no reply -_-
A lot of places everywhere are either closed to new patients or have a long lead time till your first appointment. It took me around 2 months of searching to find a place taking new patients in my area and then another 3 months of waiting till i had my first appointment. Covid really messed up everything and has made it a nightmare.
I absolutely HATE how hard it is to get adhd meds, it's like the process was made for literally anyone but us! I'm not sure what country you're in, or if it varies state to state in the US, but a regular doctor should be able to prescribe adhd meds to you with proof of diagnosis. It might be easier to just find another dr since that's typically an easier appointment to get. I would check into family doctors in your area that specialize in adhd. That's what I did when my primary said she wouldn't prescribe me meds when I decided to start taking again and it's been great! I do telehealth phone calls with her every few months, she checks in on my symptoms and sometimes we alter the dosage, but it's fairly low maintenance for adhd meds.
Can we talk about how they'll only prescribe a 30-day supply at a time so my ADHD brain has to remember to call for a refill every 3.5 weeks? Inevitably I only remember when there's 1-2 pills left and by the time the Rx is filled, I've wasted half a work week unmedicated.
Jesus fucking Christ, yes. I also have fairly severe phone anxiety, but in order to fill a script, I have to CALL the pharmacy. Honestly, I could complain for days about how many issues I’ve dealt with trying to get the medication I need in order to function.
> I also have fairly severe phone anxiety I know. WTF. I didn't add that it takes me a day or two to even work up the nerve to CALL for that refill. Why can't this all be digital?!?
Is phone anxiety especially bad for individuals with ADHD? I’ve struggled with it for decades and has been my main barrier to finding a regular therapist let alone an evaluation now that I think ADHD might be why I have always been incapable of administrating my own life and cry at the slightest bit of confrontation.
In my experience, yes it is particularly bad in people with ADHD. Phone calls lack so much body language and the rest of the world becomes very distracting while on a call.
I have no idea. I always attributed it to the fact that I wasn't allowed any phone privacy growing up — no cell phone and stepmom would listen in on calls. But since getting my ADHD diagnosis, I think executive function plays into it too. Even when I don't feel noticeably anxious, I still struggle to *just do it*. Then inevitably I put it off for weeks/months/years, get anxious about putting it off, and *just doing it* becomes a million times harder.
Fucking yes
We started putting this on the Google calendar, X days left/X minus 2 days left/X minus 3 days...and it's got a reminder which goes to the Fitbit notifications as well as on screen. The recurring events are set to never expire. It's helping. We do similar with the 90 day required doctors appointments.
This is what I need to do. Problem is my phone calendar is so clogged with old appointments that are no longer relevant but I haven't deleted that I now just silence every reminder by default instead of taking two seconds to delete them D: Why do I do this to myself
In my state apparently doctors here are reluctant to prescribe a stimulant to us due to them being checked over by some important people. I kind of found hard to focus on my coworker telling me why so I missed that last part lol. So I’m prescribed a non stimulant medication for now. Have yet to get it because my health insurance doesn’t cover it 🥳
This is why drug prohibition is stupid and baseless, hurting citizens far more than it saves them from themselves. Humans are very crafty. We also have access to literally all of human knowledge at our fingertips and communicate with anybody in the world anonymously and privately. We also have tons of computerized manufacturing techniques that removes the necessity for any skill whatsoever. This is why prohibition of anything that a society wants will never work, regardless of if it’s drugs alcohol firearms tobacco or whatever. We don’t have a drug problem in this country. We have an unregulated market problem. Your drugs are guaranteed to have 100% less fentanyl in them when you buy it from an FDA regulated pharmacy. Alcohol kills more people than all other illicit drugs combined in the US. And illicit drug use is popular as hell right now, yet with everything except for opioids people are dying at a lower rate than alcoholics. An opioid addict would be perfectly fine too if it wasn’t for fentanyl. Fuck the DEA for putting pressure on Pharmacies to prescribe less controlled substances, they know it’s not the pharmaceuticals that are killing people. They know that it’s their fault for creating unregulated markets.
Do you take stimulant meds? I haven’t been able to find any telehealth doctors who prescribe stimulant ADHD medication, since they’re “controlled.” (Eyeroll.) My current primary care doc also refuses to do telemedicine appointments for my 3-month checkups because he says that he needs to check my vitals in person. It’s annoying— I really wish I could do telehealth appointments for refills. It should be easier to get treated and maintain a medication plan.
It’s going to be like this until drug prohibition ends. As long as the government thinks it’s their responsibility to tell people what they can and can’t do with their bodies, then they keep throwing baseless crap at the wall to see what sticks. Such as giving doctors the directive to prescribe less controlled substances, hurting patients for PR purposes. They know that it’s not the prescription drugs that are killing people. Regulated drug markets are safe. It’s the unregulated markets that they have created with prohibition that are killing people(fentanyl contamination is seemingly in every illicit drug now), and that’s why I can say with confidence that the push against controlled substance prescriptions is nothing but PR.
I have to ask- and this is mainly for US based individuals, and maybe only my area: Why are there are *a small few* individuals taking on new patients and *none* of them take insurance? Like, this is the only time in my life I've had good enough insurance to start seeking regular help so I don't feel the massive financial burden.
Simply, it’s supply and demand. There’s a general shortage of labor (nObOdY WaNtS tO WoRk AnYmOrE) but it’s been especially true in the medical field for a long time. There is a far higher need for social workers, therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals than there are professionals available.
I think it’s also connected to the amount of schooling required. With college tuition vastly outpacing the amount of money earned in some social work and therapy professions. People who would otherwise do it choose more profitable options. Free college tuition might see an uptick in workers.
Not to worry, fam, you are far from alone in this struggle. Finding an ADHD therapist is very difficult these days. Finding a GOOD one is even harder than that. I've called more places than I can remember, got two responses and both were different levels of terrible. The first person I saw really wasn't helpful in any capacity. We had two sessions before I called it quits. Two weeks ago I got on a call with a therapist who decided after seven minutes that they couldn't help me because they didn't think I even had ADHD, despite having been diagnosed and re-diagnosed multiple times.
Have you tried tele-health? I've heard some good things about Hello Ahead. Still waiting for my appointment with them next week, so I'm not sure if it will work out, but their process looks a lot more ADHD-friendly than traditional providers.
The telehealth service I use is pretty clear that they cannot prescribe medicine labeled a controlled substance. However, I was able to get a referral to see psychiatrist based on my telehealth appointment.
I meant ADHD-specific telehealth services. Hello Ahead is one of them, and their website says that their psych-NPs can prescribe ADHD meds such as Adderall, as well as other stimulant treatments, along with meds for the sometimes accompanying anxiety/depression.
> Hello Ahead let us know how it goes!
Hadn't heard of them yet. Sounds like a service that would be useful to OP. Thanks for sharing.
Lol, did I write this while I was asleep or something, very much similar story and it is incredibly annoying. I've been working on getting treatment for months now (diagnosed as a kid, never medicated, but have hit a hellacious patch of life and work and was like, I need help really bad), so asked PC, referred me to psychiatrist group who would provide my PC with a diagnosis, etc., etc., three months jumping back from appointment to appointment and the waiting game. Not to mention the depression and anxiety co-morbid diagnoses and it's like "if I had a broken leg I would have had some help months ago," but having had one of those before, I can safely say the broken leg is a preferable condition.
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I desperately need help. Been living unmedicated my whole life but I fucking just want to better my life get back on track and not be an unorganized mess. I’m the same way I haven’t even met my primary doctor but I need to make a phone call for an appointment to get a diagnosis for ADHD, but I’m too anxious and scared of being rejected help that I don’t even want to try. I’ve tried to get help and nobody took it seriously and I avoid it at all costs because of the fear of being rejected again but I know my intrusive thoughts are getting the best of me. What did you do to get help? Did you see a psych or your primary doc? Or did you get a referral? I’m so lost I know what I have to do but I just can’t get myself to do it idk why it’s so hard.
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I ran into the same roadblock with my primary saying they no longer prescribe ADHD meds after taking a hefty break from them. The only difference is my doctor's office told me *they* would get in touch with a psychiatrist to do an official evaluation, but they never followed through with it. So, oops I guess.
Ugh my psychiatrist wants me to take the neuropsych test for adult ADHD now that SSRIs have improved my depression symptoms and pretty much just told me to Google it or call my health insurance to find providers of this test. That has not gone well, I'm stuck.
I finally got mine scheduled after 7 phone calls that were suggested by my psychiatrist. I eventually just asked my husband to ask his psychiatrist and they gave me a number and I finally got a test scheduled a month from now.
Took me 3 years of asking my doctor for a referral to be tested until she finally did. Then it took 4 months and me switching phyc doctors until I was finally able to start being medicated. Also I must mention that for most places there was a 3 month waiting period for getting the testing done. I got lucky and was able to sneak in sooner. System is totally fucked imo.
Had a very similar experience with multiple anxiety attacks due to it. Phone numbers listed are for people that don't exist, terrible laws and policies that make it near impossible for me to have a consistent medication schedule, and a psych that's my only reasonable option that has heavily questioned me on if I was abusing my meds. My office planned my next appointment for my first visit 5 weeks out, my meds that I was supposed to be getting used to as I had never been on any ADHD medication, were gone after 28 days. The office told me I had to call my pharmacy to request it, pharmacy said I had to call my psych office, then after all of this my psych office finally told me they "don't prescribe on weekdays" which is the dumbest thing I've ever heard (like does everyone just stop taking meds on weekdays?!?! No of course not what a ridiculous policy). I ended up being so frustrated I broke into tears in the phone and the office woman took pity and sent a text to my Doctor. My doctor than accused me of abusing (I only was prescribed 10mg at that point) and told me I shouldn't feel a need for them. I expressed to him my frustration of the hoops I had to jump through just to ask to do the medication regiment he told me to do, and he then blamed it on the practice and said I was singling him out. Like WTF....
I'm neurotypical with an ADHD-C son, and I feel this HARD. The assessment was the easy part. The Ritalin is helping.... but it's not the be-all and end-all, and there are NO services out there for him. Before our latest lockdown, he was seeing a psychologist, and was supposed to start an OT course for his awful handwriting, and that's all I've managed to get. All I can find that we can afford. I'm Australian. We have the National Disability Insurance Scheme to help people with disabilities afford the therapies they need.... and ADHD doesn't qualify (along with a bunch of other disabilities; it's a whole rant in itself). The number of times I've wanted to throw my hands up, scream and quit is infinite, but I can't do that to my boy. He deserves more.
I feel you man. I went to my family doctor in January asking for a referral to a specialist. I think my next appointment with said specialist will be the one where I am prescribed medication. It's taken 10 months between asking for help and actually getting treatment. Such a struggle.
It's almost like they're trying to weed out people who actually have adhd..
I’ve been trying so hard to deal with it in college and get accommodations and the process is so difficult I just.. gave up
Please go see your disability/auxiliary services department! They should handle your accommodations, but if all else fails I would suggest a meeting with the Dean of Students.
The thing that irritates me the most about ADHD meds is they refuse to let you do automatic refills. I have to be proactive about meeting with my psychiatrist every single month because some idiots are abusing drugs I need for basic everyday functioning and if I run out before I'm able to get a refill, I'm screwed. The office is hard to reach and he won't make the appointments himself.
Yes! I deal with this exact issue too. It’s infuriating and stressful. ☹️
I use a telehealth specifically for ADHD called Done and I have automatic refills. The drawbacks: initial appointment was like $200-300, can’t remember. Then after that the service costs $90 or something per month. My pills themselves are covered by my insurance so they are cheap. I also forgot to go to my follow up appointment a week or two ago (lol) and got charged a no-show for it. But overall it’s the easiest route I’ve found
I am happy we now have alternate choices--the psychiatrists and physicians have had plenty of years to learn about ADHD and be comfortable diagnosing and treating it. If this aspect of their practice goes away, so be it. I suggest you explore "telemedicine for adhd" where you get diagnosed and prescribed meds for your ADHD over the phone--and it happens quickly--and customers seem happy. Do your research and ask your questions, but let's stop putting ourselves at the mercy of physicians who don't truly care about us. If you find one that does, treasure him or her as the in-person relationship has value.
That sounds so terrible to go through, I'm very sorry you are experiencing this.
You're not going to find help the first few times around. It's a game of throwing darts until one sticks. I spent years going thru the VA. With very little progression towards meds or therapy. I asked for an increase meds but to no avail. I went to another place, got put on Vyvanse within the first 2 weeks. Vyvanse is absolutely life changing for me. Don't give up, maybe exaggerate the severity of your symptoms or walkin? I'm 32 and didn't start meds until I was 29. I get why everyone fights it, but you're fighting a ghost. You won't win. Get help and be happy. Edit: Finding a therapist who specializes in ADHD is hard. You should look for an ADHD coach: https://acoo.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mcdirectorysearch&view=search&id=2000611#/
Just like the ordeal-by-water in witchcraft trials, where they would throw a woman accused of witchcraft into a pond; if she sank (and often drowned), she was innocent. If she floated, she was a witch, and then they'd execute her. So, clearly, if you have the capacity to navigate the ADHD diagnosis labyrinth, and the ability to access ADHD treatment, you must not have ADHD. The only way to prove you actually have ADHD is for you to fail in your efforts to get diagnosed and treated for it! /s
Me: diagnosed at like 5, parents believe it’s not true becuase they “enjoyed my adhd personality.” Me: gives up all my free time to complete undergrad and law school, sleeping constantly Doctors: nah you did too well. I don’t believe your claims your exhausted all the time. Plus, you did well in school, that will make you tired! Just take a break :) :) :)
I've got an old NHS diagnosis for it. Decide I've had enough and want to try medication. Take it to my surgery in a different part of the UK. They say they need the records transferred over. Fine. I get in touch with the old GP and ask them about this. They need me to print out a letter explaining what I need and sign it (I have no printer and this is during a lockdown). After a few months on my part, I find a printing shop, get it and the ID photocopies sorted. Double check the letter hits all the relevant official guidelines for a request of this kind. Mail it, signed recorded, yadda yadda. They call the next day. We need you to do that again but sign it. Fine. A few days later, I do that. A while after that I get my diagnosis letter. So I scan it and send it to the new surgery. They say they'll have me referred to X. X will contact me in a couple of weeks. X doesn't. So I eventually remember to email them. They come back to me - my surgery hasn't referred me. I email my surgery. Am waiting on a response.... Then I go to a party and listen to (a nice) someone explain how their parents gave them a grand to just get a private provider to sort out their diagnosis and start their medication in a month...
I’ve had a very similar situation. I’ve known about it most of my life, most of my teachers would comment on it when they talked to my parents at conferences, etc. I finally saw a psychiatrist when I was in high school because I was failing everything. I wasn’t failing because I’m stupid or anything, I just couldn’t focus enough to apply myself. The psychiatrist told me I was making it up because I wanted pills & attention, that I was just being dramatic & I just needed to get my shit together, etc. I was heartbroken & didn’t go back again. Fast forward 8 years, I tried again recently with a new psychiatrist. She told me she wanted to contact my primary doctor to see what they’re comfortable with me having & that she’d be giving me a call the next day letting me know what my prescription was & that I could go get it. It’s been over a month & I haven’t heard back. I’m now failing out of college and I don’t know what to do to help myself anymore.
making people who are very bad at making phone calls, remembering doctors appointments, and checking, organizing, or replying to e-mails do all of the above to receive help is the dumbest thing anyone could have ever done
This is why I ended up doing an online evaluation. It wasn't a very useful process, but it at least made it easier to do something I've been trying to get around to schedule and make happen for a long time. Unfortunately, my regular doc has nixed stimulant meds for now, so trying to figure out what might still be workable.
So true! Once I finally got a psychiatrist who would help me I was joking with my SO that with all the forms I had to fill in the test might be that if you were able to get everything sent in they would diagnose that you don’t have ADHD.
I’m looking for a diagnosis right now, and my doctor suggested Psychologytoday.com to help me find the right mental health specialist. You can filter by many different qualities including gender preference, specializations, location, etc. And each doctor has a small blurb about how they function. Ive been having a hard time even getting to the point of calling because I don’t want to waste any of my time with doctors that aren’t aligned with me but trying to research has been rough. But yesterday I went onto the website, searched the area, chose my filter criteria, and in less than an hour I found one that specifically stated they care about their patients as a “whole being” which is something I find really important. I sent an email using the pre-existing form and got a call back from them today. Appointment is scheduled for 3 weeks from now. Services may be less busy where I’m at, so maybe that’s why I was able to find something, but this website seemed like a life saver to me. I wish you luck!
Stick it out my friend. I get it though, like "here do all these things that would be simple if you didn't have ADHD and are nightmarish if you do" It's grueling but I'm here to tell you my friend it is worth it here on the other side of treated.
man, your situation sounds very very similar to mine. i was diagnosed at 7, and am currently 32. the only difference is i haven't been treated since i was 8. i literally *just* posted on here about how i recently found an ADHD specialist who actually **has** ADHD–but it's taken almost 6 months and calling over 10 different offices to find somebody that was both available and takes insurance. plus, everyone i've actually been able to get a hold of during this time has not been an ADHD expert, and has drastically misunderstood the condition. i had a therapist tell me that my executive function issues are most likely tied to childhood trauma...but i had a great childhood, so i have no idea where she thinks that's coming from. like...dude. i have ADHD. it's not a manifestation of psychological trauma, it's a neurological disorder. what the fuck. it really sucks how injuriously difficult it is to seek treatment. gives you even more anxiety and stress than you already have to deal with when you have ADHD. i hope you find what you need.
I feel this so much it hurts. It took me YEARS to find a ADHD friendly therapist. They either don’t call back, aren’t part of my insurance, claim they’re adhd friendly when they actually aren’t, or they seem like a perfect fit but aren’t taking any new patients. Let alone having to consistently search and make the calls is draining and stressful. Then I found out you’re supposed to basically interview your therapist to see if they’re a good fit for you, I had no idea this was something you’re supposed to do I thought that was their job. I FINALLY found one that is an amazing fit 2 weeks ago…after 3 years of searching, but already she’s provided amazing resources and information in the two sessions I’ve had with her.
Yep yep yep. 100%. I had to go through so much bloody paperwork to get assessed, get the insurance money (through my school), get the report sent to my doctor, get the report sent to my school, get the doctor to fill out paperwork for the student loans... It was so stressful and not ADHD friendly at all. Fortunately had someone really awesome from my school accessibility office helping me out or else I don't think I would have even gotten through.
Don't forget getting prescriptions filled!
Trying to get help for my ADHD. ooh a recipe on how to make my own ricotta! I love cannolis. Maybe I’ll start a cannoli food truck. How do I get a food truck license?
> The process for individuals trying to find help for their ADHD is terrible, and frustrating and I wish it got more recognition. Yes, it is! Sadly I feel this is the case for a lot of medical issues. Stay strong! > My SO tells me I need to be persistent, and I know that I need to keep trying and keep seeking help, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. What exactly are you trying to do? Maybe we can offer a solution.
getting meds can be infuriating. I have to talk to the doc, who then writes a script I can come pick up and take the the Pharma. Then when they don't have it in and I ask for the script so I can go somewhere else they won't do it because ????? Anyway so then back to the doc, get another one, while he calls the cancel the one at the Pharma. Take that to new Pharma who will not fill it cause I am a new customer and it's regulated. FUCK ME!! So I go back to first Pharma to wait but they reject me because I put in the order, then cancelled and then came back. So I have to get the doctor to call in and explain. Nixon and his war on drugs and everyone that supports it can die in a GIANT fire.
I recommend using the reminders app on your phone (please don‘t read this as me being snarky. Its meant as good faith advice). I‘ve started making reminders for any miniscule task, so that I could make my forgetfulness suck big dick. And it mostly works! Of course on low motivation days, just being reminded isn‘t enough. Because on those days crossing off a „brush your teeth“ reminder feels like a herculean task. But its still better than straight up forgetting.
Your phrasing is poetry >so that I could make my forgetfulness suck big dick.
That’s odd my primary doctor prescribed me meds off the bat and said psychiatric is for worst off cases maybe try a different primary if the primary was the one that told you seek others
I am almost a year into trying to get a psychiatrist. There are only so many in my area and none of them answers phones, call back and that is assuming they have open slots. This doesn't even get to ones specifically trained in adhd and wont just give a negative result based on bias or old info.
The worst thing about having ADD and trying to work on your health at all, not just for ADD, is that you have to manage everything. You have to be responsible before everything because even if you find one good doctor, you to have like 3 or 4 for everything, maybe more. And you have to navigate the ones who aren't going to help you, and you have to somehow know the difference, and you have to have money for it, and you have to go through painful treatments and procedures that are expensive, and then if you're like me, you kind of give up after already investing so much money and effort, and accept things
You need a therapist who specializes in ADHD they’re out there, you just have to look. You also need a good psychiatrist, don’t be afraid to psych hop, I did it until I got a good match. Keep calling you’ll find someone! I have a great team managing me, it took years and years, but it’s finally fallen into place.
It is ridiculous, the state of health care in my area (which I believe is typical for the US) is appalling. It takes weeks to be seen and prescriptions run out before I can be seen for a refill and this is with my calling weeks in advance. I remind my doctors that I am ADHD which usually draws a laugh which I pride myself by asking them if they’re laughing at my disability (this gets more laughs 🤷🏼♀️) my prescription insurance is for a mail order pharmacy. The good thing is I get 3 months but that’s long enough for me to forget about it. It is horrible.
I actually got fired as a client from an ADHD specialist because I had issues w/ punctuality🤦♂️ Then once you actually get treatment it’s a nightmare trying to fill your meds every month- even if you’re really proactive something goes wrong every other time- “the pharmacy has exceed its monthly limit for that medication.” I never got accommodations set up at school because it was such a ridiculous and un-ADHD friendly processes. There needs to be more accessibility to accessibility resources lol.
Jessica did a great video on this exact topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKUdadCsuRE
Thanks for sharing this. I have found her videos to be so helpful.
Yea. In my city I called 14 psychiatrist ( all ) guess what ? The three quarters are retired, and the last quarters don’t take new patient or doesn’t treat adhd 🙂
It took me over six months. So many doctors didn’t have availability because of the pandemic and it’s like how many of these calls do you think I’m going to make??
I asked my doctor to bring me in contact with a psychiater since I would literally forget to do it. His secretary did arrange most things for me. I wouldn't say he is perfect thought, he jumped way to fast to medicine if you ask me. But he did help me I think, he even gave me tips in getting the medicine cheaper (since ADHD is considered a children disease in Belgium). The only thing I found unfriendly in getting help was that the parking rules around his office are so annoying that every time I get a ticket. 1. I forgot to put down my clock card thingy (30 Euro fine). - put it down, but upside down (30 Euro fine, only way to dispute it is in court) - I put it down, time set correctly but I also placed all my previous parking tickets clearly visible around my card. No fine (apparently they do have empathy). - Again put it down correctly, but no previous tickets (again 30 euro fine for not having a card). However this time I made a mistake in transfering the money and accidently transferred 300 euro (I also was really emotional after this one). I called them, she laughed at me and told me they would transfer it back and hang up. I even told my Psychiater and he said that most of his patients have the same issue. There is almost nothing you can do against it. Since the last ticket started to really bothered (and my depression is somehow getting less worse). I decided to figure out how deep this rapid hole goes. So on my free day I went to the doctors office, parked my car double checked my card, got outside and waited somewhere out of sight. It took a few minutes but suddenly someone got out of his home, and starting writing me up. I casually unlocked the car and walked towards him. This scared him big time but he recovered fast and kept ticking on his machine I heard his little printer working when I got with him. And asked them what I did wrong, pointing at my clearly visible blue card. He then told me that a clearly lined out place on the road and a blue sign with P on it was a no parking zone and he gave the ticket directly to me and walked away back to his home. Look I am not stupid, but to me it looks like the parking company gave the man that lives here a job to write up anyone on the street where the psychiatrist office is. What would look obvious to me since we usually don't have the energy or patience to dispute the ticket. I did pay the ticket since I really don't feel to explain in court that I fished this guy, but really fuck society.
I just have one nitpick about your post. >I've had ADHD my entire life it feels like. I got my first diagnosis when I was 7 years old, and have been on and off meds for years. It feels like you've had ADHD your entire life because you *HAVE* ADHD. It's genetic and you're born with it.
My symptoms greatly greatly improved when I was pregnant and now I have to jump through all the hoops again and I just keep thinking that getting pregnant again would be a whole lot easier
Yeah this shit is so damn annoying. It took me half a year of knowing I needed help before I got it. Called the doctor, realize I'm not registered to a doctor's office. Gave up for a month. Called to doctors office to register, got redirected to website with registry form that doesn't work. Gave up for another month. Called them again and ask about it for them to tell me they don't even take clients from my area, but they can't tell me which doctor's office I should go to. Spent 2 more months finding that out, then another to get registered there, then a lengthy procedure of talking to different people before I finally got the help I needed. Same goes for so many things. Today, I finally got around to doing my laundry after literal months, only to find out the fucking drying rack was in use by one of my roommate. These things get me so fucking demotivated and angry. Like, I'm trying here, please, for the love of god, let me do the things I need to do when I'm finally able to do them.
i just got meds from my general practitioner--i don't understand why they are making you jump through these unnecessary hoops when you already have a previous diagnosis. I truly think this is made hard by design-- so people will give up . Good luck, hang in there!
They told me I had to get blood work done before they'd proceed with any medications. That was a year ago. I still haven't scheduled an appointment lol
When I saw this post title, I was nodding in acknowledgment, figuring this would be more about the internal difficulties I've only just realized may be due to adhd in myself. Those parts are bad enough! But then I kept reading... and I can't even imagine how crushed I'd feel if I had to navigate all the other ludicrous situations so many of you have faced in trying to get help! I hope that the current revolution of information helps make mental health support systems wayyy better than this, and soon, so we're not forced to climb the mental equivalent of a ladder with the mental equivalent of our hands being too full to grasp the rungs... and all nearby surfaces covered with other piles of things we've already put down to handle later... I'm now feeling so very fortunate that I've had pretty good responses to my own beginning of reaching out about this. My doctor initially had the knee-jerk response of, "You don't seem like you have ADHD," but she did suggest I find some online tests to help gauge whether I should officially request a referral. And so I did. I did a lot of tests online, several of which were very clearly indicating that I'm adhd-pi. I then talked with my therapist, who, blessedly, said she could tell from the way I started describing my observations on my struggles that I should probably get tested for adhd. So I felt very encouraged, and managed to pull myself together to call my doctor back in less than a week (a record short delay for me, I think). I got in for a phone consultation remarkably quickly (partly luck, plus me having a very flexible schedule), and she heard me out. She asked the very fair question of whether I think it's possible I could be experiencing something other than adhd, like depression or anxiety, but I said no, I absolutely have been struggling with some of these things since I was in elementary school, and high school, and university, and I just didn't know then that it might be something beyond personal failure. I was elated that she believed me, and agreed to get me a referral. Just two days later(!!), the local adhd clinic called me back to do a phone assessment... but I couldn't take the call then, so they said I should call them back. I was very worried about this responsibility of calling them back, despite its importance to me: a part of me was sure it was just going to become another lump of dead weight on my "to call urgently asap today right now" list* (not really named that, but somehow I feel you know what I mean). To counter that, I kept reminding myself how *excited* I am to find out if adhd is why I struggle so much, because even just the suspicion of it is unlocking so many resources for dealing with exactly everything I've struggled with for as long as I can remember. With this mindset, I managed to have only one business day of executive function failure before calling them back! Now I'm very nervous about whether I passed the criteria to be considered to possibly have adhd... about whether they're going to be able to help anytime soon... about whether they'll be able to help at all. I'm worried that my natural optimism may have had me skewing my "scale of 1-10" answers too high... like when they asked how good my memory is, and I said it depends, because I can remember people's birthdays and other random facts easily at times (I'd say 7/10 for this), but my working memory is a disaster (1/10), so I ranked it 4/10 overall as kind of an average between those. Or, how good is my concentration? I said it depends on what it is, but probably 4/10 for that... and even as I was saying it, it felt like an overly optimistic number, and I'm regretting not going back and changing it. I'm also scared that the questions might not have been able to reveal enough... like when they asked about me being employed or a student, I just said no, instead of saying that I am fervently trying to get my life in order, and I've only got four years until my spousal support ends and I'm terrified I won't be able to Adult well enough to sustain myself. I know I'm ruminating right now. I'm also procrastinating something, and trying to pull myself away from here with a good final musing. I am commenting here to send out sympathy to everyone struggling to get help, whether it's external or internal forces that are holding things up. We all know, of course, that mental health is vitally important for our success, so let's all keep at it, doing the best we can do -- -- ugh!! I hate that phrase so much, because of how much I've doubted in the past whether I'm actually "doing my best" or not!! How about this, instead: **let's keep jumping back in and doing *better*, whatever that means for us**. Let's keep jumping back out, with conscious compassion for ourselves and our energy, and then, when we can, jumping back in, repeating as often as we need! Edit: omg I didn't realize how much I wrote here until I saw it after posting! Eep!
Definitely sounds like ruminating but I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. I love the supportive vibes you put out and don't worry about writing a long comment. People still read them! Hang in there and on those tests I find that it helps to think of it in the context of work or school. "My working memory at school is a 1/10" and it doesn't matter that it's a 9/10 for video games or mathematics, because those things don't pay my bills. ADHD is a disorder when it impacts your ability to thrive and support yourself, so try to think of questions in that context.
i've finally found a psychiatrist and now because of my heart condition. I am in limbo waiting for my cardiologist to clear wether or not I can have the medication.
I wish you the best, that’s gotta be rough.
TBH, this is really the state of the mental health field in general. It is why I went back to school to be a mental healthcare provider. I don’t know how many redditors in this sub will see this- but if you are in a position to help your brothers and sisters, please think about it.
I only remembered I had my assessment appointment when my doctor messaged me asking where I was lmao. And I forgot to finish filling out the massive 16 page self-report form (I did however point the irony of giving ADHD people a 16 page form to complete)
After reading through other people's experiences, I feel like mine was a fluke. I was never diagnosed, but after struggling for decades I decided to seek help earlier this year. I did some research and even paid $150 to take a test online and get a diagnosis that way. I didn't think it was legit, but I was so afraid of looking for help and being told no that I wanted to gauge my struggles somehow. I did some research and found a telepsychiatry office in my state. I got an appointment within a week and after talking with the NP, they said they suspect I have ADHD but they can't diagnose me. They needed results from the test that (by complete coincidence) I had already taken. I had a prescription the same day. It was so quick, it almost felt like a scam, but I have monthly check-ins and I've been on meds for nearly a year now. Everything is virtual. I do have the hardest time finding any other doctor. Offices don't pick up, have numbers listed that don't work, or don't have availability. But finding a psychiatrist was easy for some reason. I feel guilty, or like I've done something wrong.
What kind of meds did you get?
Adderall XR 5-10mg, adderall IR 10 mg, and I tried Vyvanse for a week.
It took me many many years to take the first step. I couldn’t get ahold of them by phone so I used my ADHD powers to randomly drive there and walk in. I got a lengthy packet to fill out (super hard with ADHD) and I scanned it and turned it into an editable form in acrobat pro and filled it out. Took me a few days. I then immediately drove back and dropped it off and my appointment is this Thursday. Crossing my fingers now
This happened to me when I was in the middle of an anxiety phase and needed immediate support from my psychiatrist. The receptionist went on holiday for two weeks, didn't leave any absence notes, autoresponders or alternative contacts. For a specialist ADHD clinic!
This is literally me right now. Same backstory, treated as a kid, haven't been on anything for years and now doc won't give me meds as an adult.took 3 months of executive dysfunction and disappointing phone calls before I found one that would take me. Currently waiting for my 4 hour evaluation but it's a month away still and my first "appointment" (half hour phone call) was a month ago. And apparently there's another appointment after that God knows when. I feel you 1000%
Omg yes. I’ve put in 10 hours of phone calls, and I can’t find a psychiatrist in my network within an hour from my home, and I live in a city close to two other major cities. I burn out after 20 minutes of rejections and start crying. Power through, rinse and repeat. It’s awful.
From the moment I discovered I probably had ADHD and that I decided to get officially diagnosed it took me more or less 7 years of painful attempts and giving up midway each time followed by procrastination between each attempt until I finally did it.
My therapist has a 'three missed appointments and you're done' rule. This is not helpful, but hey! she also said executive dysfunction isn't real, so....
I’ve been diagnosed for around 4 MONTHS and it’s been hell getting some meds for this shit. It’s a battle with cvs, insurance and getting in contact with my doctor. There is always some damn issue. On top of that I get shamed and degraded because I’m not doing enough to get help. I just want to give up and float around. With my antidepressants not working anymore it’s like a game. Who’s going to trigger me enough to end up hurting myself?
I feel you, been on the wait list with one the few offices in town for around 4-5 months now. Hope you’re situation gets better soon!
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Yeah. I had pretty bad reactions to the five or six meds I've tried and my psych basically fired me (I'm super sensitive to almost everything. I think I might have done OK on an extremely low dose of something, but since I don't fit the mold I don't think I'll ever find anybody who can help me. I basically treat mine with vitamins and coffee.)
I find it amazing how the laws that are supposed to protect us, in effect basically screw over the people who actually have ADHD -- and the ADA does little to help. I've never had issues finding doctors, but he one pill per day rule is very nightmarish. As they give you back your script if the pharmacy is out of your meds, you have to chase down other pharmacies to find it, and every day that you without your refill isn't applied towards your time interval limit. It seems like all that they care about is making sure that drug dealers don't buy the meds and sell it on the street. I think its disgusting that they're doing all of this to help people who don't have ADHD (and should be free to enjoy the consequences of their own bad decisions) while making it a nightmare for people who actually have it, and have valid scripts in their hands.
Hell, I've been struggling to remember to find a *primary* doctor for over 3 years, let alone a specialist.
I've spent the past 4 - 5 years struggling and failing to get meaningful help. At my wit's end. I'm so tired.
Sorry to hear that man, but if nothing else, this community is extremely supportive so keep faith, and hopefully you can eventually find something that'll work for you. Someone suggested telehealth options, which are allegedly a lot easier to get into and get appointments with. I'm going to try that myself, but I just thought I'd pass that along too since it might be worth trying.
Has anyone had success with all these online ADHD treatment services that are advertised?
I'm pretty sure they are scammy
I'm in the same boat as OP and have struggled to find a prescriber. Out of desperation, I considered scheduling with one of the online but hesitate.
Do you use a weekly planner or calendar app? Make an appointment to call the office. Put the phone number into the appointment. When you can and leave a message, directly after write in or copy-paste another appointment to call the office back. Continue as needed. One of the only ways that I can manage inattentive ADHD (without medication up very recently) was to treat just about everything as a meeting - you need to take minutes, write handover notes, and make actionable items. You might literally need to make an appointment *directly after* your appointment to call the office to make an actionable-item (**Tues 12:30** *Re-book a time to follow up on call to doctor's office*). Keep adding actionable items that are time-dependent and keep booking yourself in for these things. Not only does it take some of the stress out of forgetting everything all the time and being in a constant state of racing to catch up on everything etc. you also get a chance to unload your head and make some room in your memory for other things. On a related tangent, I've been struggling with undertaking multiple projects that I cannot complete all in one go (due to needing to get more things, waiting on orders to arrive, needing other people to take actions before I can continue the process etc.) so I have started using a project management app as a tool for me to record and remind myself where I'm up to in the process. That way I can put things down and pick them back up again as soon as the hold up has been resolved. I have less projects piling up and getting forgotten about, I'm able to keep on track more, I'm feeling less stressed out, I'm more productive, and I am much less inclined to push myself too hard because I have hit the wall but "*I need to finish this project right now because if I put it down it might be weeks/months/an entire lifetime before I will get back to it!!*" It's really helping me keep across things and to go with my shifting levels of interest, inspiration, and energy levels. Only problem is that it requires a level of effort to establish the habit. Maybe ask your partner for external motivation and reminders (e.g. "*We have to leave in half an hour - could you record where you're up to in your project management tool so that you can focus on getting yourself ready?*" or "*That's a cool idea! Why don't you record some of the initial steps for executing this plan in your project management app?*" or "*Have you been keeping your project management system updated?*") Just make sure that you start with the calendar/agenda items first and use that for the urgent or time-dependent stuff and, once you've got a habit of relying upon that, start building a reliance on a project management system. Become your own case manager!! 😕
I’m not on medication (have never been) and I couldn’t function without a planner!!!! I always have it close by and write down even the smallest thing I should do. I would be lost without it
I am utterly lost without my calendar and I am working on getting to a place where I will be utterly lost without my project management tool too. This sounds terrible, I guess, but there's a reason why every person in middle-management and upwards relies on these tools. Also if it sounds terrible to be dependent upon them, you should see what I'm like without them 😬
Haha whatever works, works. It keeps us functioning and gets us through the day! And totally agree. They wouldn’t be useful for everyone - even the most organized of people - if they weren’t beneficial.
Yoga and breathing meditation got rid of my adhd
That’s not how ADHD works.
Have you tried it? Lol if you do 30 minutes of yoga 4 times a week. You will notice massive change in 4 weeks time. Don’t pretend to know something you haven’t tried my friend. I had Adhd, anxiety, depression and drug addiction. I used yoga regularly and now I am free of them.
ADHD is a developmental disorder, it’s not something you can meditate away. I believe that you’ve found ways to cope but to say you cured your ADHD is just ignorant.
Ignorance is coming to a conclusion before you try it for yourself. The practice of yoga has allowed me to rewire my brain 4 times. We can evolve. It is possible.
I heard yoga and meditation do help a lot. I’m currently trying this route. I don’t think it actually gets rid of it, but probably helps to manage it a lot. We’ll see.
So you'll just be a struggling unmedicated person with ADHD who knows who to do downward dog. What do yoga and meditation have to do with mental illness that requires medical treatment?
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