Does it cost to be diagnosed?

[Anonymous]

I would like to get diagnosed (it’s very obvious to everyone who knows me that I’m ADHD) but I don’t have a family doctor. I’ve heard that the Dr. Svec offices are a good place to go but they cost quite a bit. I’m presently unemployed (surprise!) and money is an issue. Any advice or a point in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Michael

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[Anonymous]

In Canada services are covered unless you have one of the more enterprising physicians who are capitalizing on the lack of supply of physicians and extra billing their clients for rinky-dinky services. Shame! If you are not in Canada, you should seek out your local mental health provider. All States in the US have free local mental health services but they are not very fast to activate. Keep connected to our site and keep learning while you wait.

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[Anonymous]

I live in Ontario, near London. So, services should be covered by OHIP then?

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[Anonymous]

Go to the site: http://www.cpso.on.ca/docsearch/ and do a search for a psychiatrist in your area. Call them up and find out who does adult ADHD assessments. For the most part physician (M.D.) services are covered by OHIP but there are some that charge for the questionaires and other paper work. I believe that psychiatrists are the best people to contact because they have experience with analysing the questionaires and it is part of their job. Don’t be surprised to find yourself on a wait list ranging from weeks to months to see a psychiatrist.

If you want to get a quick diagnosis you will have to pay to see a psychologist or some other physician that charges for their services. For the most part employer benefit plans cover registered psychologists but it would be good to see what services the benefit plan covers prior to your first appointment to one of these places. If the benefits don’t cover the costs then be prepared to pay between $1000 to $2500 out of your own pocket, these are figures that have been quoted to me in Toronto.

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[Anonymous]

MJDouglas, Dr. Laurence Jerome, a psychiatrist, is the guy in London (Ontario). Look him up. He charges a smaller amount but a highly educated clinician. Nice guy. Well liked.

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[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies!

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[wolfshades]

Kind of wish I’d read this thread four months ago. I ended up paying $960.50 and am currently in a portracted fight with my employer’s medical insurance company for partial reimbursement.

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[Anonymous]

Is Medicare with Supplemental insurance through my state (Washington, I’m a retired teacher) likely to cover services of a specialist to diagnose ADHD or some associate disorder?

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[Anonymous]

I’ve been all over the Medicare website and I don’t think they realize ADHD is a disorder!

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[Anonymous]

Ok, I am finally diagnosed and finally prescribed. I am on Ritalin, but it is so hard to find that I ended up with the generic version. Has anyone had experience with both branded and generic? Is there any difference? So far, I don’t seem to see a big improvement. Maybe I will notice it if I go to a movie or play? I don’t know. I know Ritalin is supposed to work right away, but do you have to get adapted to it before it helps? I’m a bit disappointed that I don’t notice more benefit. I’ve only been taking it for a week.

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[kc5jck]

Hey monkey – you may not be the best one qualified to determine if it helps. Ask someone who knows you if they have noticed a difference.

I’ve read where it was thought the meds were not helping until the person quit taking and reverted back to their unmedicated state at which time it became obvous that the meds were making a difference.

On the other hand, you could be right and need to try a different RX. In any event, I would give it at least another couple of weeks unless your symptoms are really bad.

Good luck.

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[Anonymous]

In the UK the cost to be assessed in the Mordsly hospital, London is around £3000! It is the country’s number one in assessment and the cost is normally coveted by the NHS. That said the waiting list is around six months and that’s after being referred by a local shrink.

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[Scattybird]

Yikes Peter – that’s a LOT! I paid £750 in Oxford (UK) – good psych with experience in the field. No NHS. I thought that was a lot but clearly not so I feel lucky. However, I remember reading a post from Tiddler on another forum where she said she paid £150 which doesn’t seem much if private?

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[Anonymous]

Hi folks, I am living in London/UK.

I tried the NHS here, and it was discouraging, really… The first 3 visits put me off. First I don’t think they knew what ADHD was to begin with, they were trying to follow a computer script with questions and second was the whole process, which could take MONTHS… I was given 2 months follow up intervals without anything done in a session. I mean I wanted to get treated not go for a year training course. Really disappointing.

I quit it! Got mad with it! Didn’t have patience to wait forever to get some computer diagnostic result and eventually get some med prescription. Now I want to tackle the problem, however I don’t know how.

My ADHD is getting worse, I think, I can’t read anything no more, not that I ever had patience for it anyway, however I used to read what was interesting to me once in a while, now… forget it. Patience ZERO, and concentration is really getting worse. Thoughts all confused… and multiplying.

I am trying private docs, but oh boy! How expensive they are here in the UK ! Just for them to see you is a whopping £300 ! That’s around $500 dollars for 1 hour! In this recession I will end up never getting diagnosed, and trust me since I found out that I may have this thing, I have done and I scored FULL in every single online HD test that I could try. I have the whole thing, so I believe.

So my last solution is to buy generic meds and test it myself! Which cutting short would be the same that I would get from the BS NHS.

I bought one MED, I tried 2 pills, however I felt that it was more a calm pill than anything… So I think I will try something else…

Any idea how to get help without selling your house to pay for the treatment in Europe?

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[Anonymous]

Allenvik, calming IS the effect you’re looking for if you’re taking stimulants. You might need a higher dose to get the correct effect for YOU. Also, you’re not necessarily the best person to decide if the pills are working. Ask someone around you if they notice anything. The effects are incredibly subtle.

Moreover, only 30-40% of patients respond to medication appropriately. And most need counselling / coaching to benefit fully from their effects. You need to re-learn a lot, and pills don’t teach skills.

Can you afford coaching and continue the generic drugs?

Other things that help: Aerobic Exercise (40+ minutes 3x per wk is best), Omega Fish Oil supplements, Sunlight (believe it or not) — at least 20 minutes first thing in the morning.

Good Luck Allenvik!

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