Unsupportive doctor regarding ADD

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
1

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>For awhile now, I have thought that I had ADD. I spoke with my old doctor about it (but now that I'm 18 I have to switch) and she told me if the problems persisted through the next year we could go more into it. I oftentimes have difficulty staying organized, procrastinating (I know this is normal at my age), paying attention, or following simple directions. I have to stay after school all the time because I have huge difficulties paying attention in classes. Currently, I do well in turning in homework (if I force myself to go to a library and complete it with no distractions) but I completely bomb tests, even after studying them. I simply feel like I cannot retain the information or concentrate on what I am looking at, even in a calm area. </p>

<p>My mom was hesitant at first at the idea of me taking medicine, until my SATs happened. The first time I took them, I did awful. I believe I got a 1500 with all three combined. I knew I was a lot smarter than that, but even with attempted studying the test was just too long for me and I would doze off to the point of where the time would run out and I would've completely forgotten about the test. A friend of mine offered to let me have one of her pills. I knew it was wrong, unsafe, etc, but I took one from her. The day of the second test, I used it and immediately felt like I had the ability to focus on whatever I put my mind to. I sat down, took the test, and scored 350 points higher. </p>

<p>I made an appt with a new doctor and immediately I knew she would be no help. After explaining all of this to me, she told me she didn't believe in giving out medication to alter minds, that it was stupid and wrong of me to take that pill ("And to think - if I prescribed YOU the medicine? Well, all your friends would probably have it by the end of the week!") It was overall extremely frustrating.</p>

<p>My family does not have the money to pay for expensive psychologists to try and get diagnosed. I am working a part time job currently and am saving up to help pay for one, but right now the money would just be too much. What should I do? Should I try to see a different doctor, one who might understand more or at least listen?</p>

<p>And I know there are people who are on this forum who might consider me lazy, say that the doctor is right, I shouldn't take pills, etc.. But please, I know myself very well and I feel like I do have ADD and that this medicine is something that would really help my future.</p>

2

<p>Go to a psychotrist!! Many insurances pay for them now!! Please try!!</p>

3

<p>go to a cognitive specialist or simply another specialist doctor. sometimes doctors are wrong, not you.</p>

4

<p>Third person to suggest that you need to be evaluated by a psychologist who does testing specifically for ADD and other learning disabilities. Although you would need your physician to prescribe medication if needed, your internist is clearly not the person to make the diagnosis for you. And the medication is very serious stuff – you can’t self diagnose and self-prescribe safely. Check and see if it is possible to get testing through your school district. If not, call the psychology and educational psychology graduate programs at nearby universities and see if they have clinics that do psycho-educational testing for ADD and learning disabilities. Many such clinics have sliding scales and low-cost alternatives based on family income. You need a competent person to figure out what is going on and give you a correct diagnosis.</p>

5

<p>well get a new doctor for one- and don’t tell your second doctor about you previously taking aderall. People without ADD/ADHD also expierience the positivie affects of focus that comes with adderall. This coupled with other affects of Adderall- makes for a high rate for abuse. Doctors who prescribe adderall must evauluate their patients- to make sure that they are either not faking or will not give/deal adderall to other people. So even if your doctor thinks you have ADD/ADHD, if they suspect that you may abuse it or in your case- already have abused it (by taking it illegally from a friend)- then yeah they are probably not going to prescribe you any. You should get a new doctor- refrain from telling them about your past expieriences with adderall, present yourself in a way that shows that you are not looking to deal/abuse adderall and that you do not have illegal/criminal tendencies. They will probably need to you tested by a reputable psychologist (preferably one that they refer). You may also possibly be able to get tested by your school if they have a learning disability program (you may be surprised!) in this case, testing would probably be a lot cheaper or free. So in this case you should talk to your counselor about your thinking you have ADHD and that you would like to be tested. (again refrain talking about past adderall/drug use)</p>

6

<p>If you have an unsupportive dr , by all means seek another opinion. Nothing more irritating when it comes to your health care than a doc who won’t listen to your concerns</p>

7

<p>Try a different doctor. You do need to see a psychologist, but I understand that this can be cost prohibitive. Talk to your school and see if they have a psychologist or if they have an arrangement with any doctors, sometimes you can get discounts through the school. Otherwise talk to the doctors directly, explain your situation (to be on the safe side I would leave out that you took one of your friends pills-- it’s really not important), and see if they are willing to offer a payment plan or a sliding scale or some kind of an assistance program. There are doctors that will do this, it is how I got tested.</p>

<p>After that, see if there are any grad schools in your area-- sometimes grad students will be researching different things and you can get tested at a low cost or free as part of their study. I’ve gone this route before too and paid $50 for a $3000 test.</p>