Re: First Psych Appointment…What Can I Espect?

[Anonymous]

Darkwynde,

I’m interested in your case because it’s so similar to mine. I too was told I had bipolar II when I went for my ADHD assessment. Because I had been reading books, journal articles, literature and research for six months, I had been heavily warned against how little most professionals know about Adult ADHD. And it was true — I had been referred to an OHIP-covered neurologist who specialized in childhood attentional problems. He couldn’t recognize Adult ADHD if it slapped him in the face.

I immediately found a second opinion, and here is the reason: Having undiagnosed ADHD is frustrating (understatement of the century). It makes you paranoid about makings mistakes or forgetting important tasks, etc. Understandably, a person’s mood can be drastically affected by this. In other words, ADHD can cause mood problems that mimic major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or anything in the Bipolar II spectrum. In fact, if you have undiagnosed adult ADHD, you are more likely than not to have a comorbidity like anxiety and/or depression.

Realizing the average-Joe-psychiatrist (or even a “so-called” attentional specialist) would not be able to help me, I sought help from a private clinic that specialized in ADHD — that’s all they do; they know all and everything having to do with ADHD across the lifespan.

Dr Gray made it very clear that I may have mood problems, but there was no way to tell if they are a “true” disorder requiring separate treatment, or a product/symptom of my ADHD. Bottom Line: YOU TREAT THE ADHD FIRST.

Normal psychiatrists don’t know anything about Adult ADHD, but they are very familiar with Bipolar, MDD, Anxiety etc. They are more likely to treat what they know. And this is backwards.

I know finding a specialist is difficult (2nd biggest understatement of the century), but I think a second opinion would help you a lot. Yes, private clinics charge an arm and a leg, but that because what they are offering is so valuable: a TIMELY, accurate, objective, testable, reliable, state-of-the-art diagnostic process. Most also offer coaching and follow-up care. If they have an MD on staff, they can even start you on your meds.

I really think the guy you’re seeing is leading you down the wrong path, not maliciously, but ignorantly. He just doesn’t know enough. When you hit the wall and are ready to tear your hair out, it might be time to get a second opinion. Good Luck.

Nichole

Toronto, ON

REPORT ABUSE