How do you find an ADD psychiatrist

[L8ly Lost]

Greetings all;

My first post!  Don’t know where I should put this  . . .  so here I am.

(getting distracted now . . ) did TADD (my acronym) actually do away with Premium memberships?  just read this somewhere here.  I tried to sign up last week but only found “not accepting new memberships” – got a lovely email reply but didn’t realize it was gone!  Will donate right after this post . . THANKS!

OK – back on topic.  I was diagnosed with ADD about 12(?) years ago.  I’m a 51 y/o women and I can’t do it anymore!  I went over the cliff last week – and am barely crawling back to the top.  Long long long story short – lack of work has given me way too much time to contemplate life and I have realized (?) that it’s just now working and I’ve been oblivious to alot of my trouble – even though I am forever acknowledging my ADD.

How does one find a psychiatrist experienced with adult ADD?  Do I need a specialist?  or will any psych do?  I’ve never (really) been on meds, just trying to cope and it’s NOT working.  I’ve not seen a psych since I was diagnosed.  I need HELP!

I’ve been on the web for an hour and . . nothing.  Don’t know where to go.  Would prefer someone really trained in dealing with this disability.

I’m in the northern LA area (actually Antelope Valley) – if anyone has any recs

thanks so much in advance

 

kelly

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[Patte Rosebank]

@Hondochica, welcome!

There’s an ADHD Coach Directory here (http://totallyadd.com/coaching-directory-search/).  You can contact Coaches in your area and ask them if they can recommend a psychiatrist who treats Adult ADHD.  They’ll probably be able to recommend several.

You definitely need to find a psych. who specifically treats Adult ADHD.  Otherwise, you’ll be wasting your time and money.  Too many of us can tell you what THAT’S like!

ADHD is still considered by many people to be a “childhood condition”.  Even though we now know it isn’t, there are a lot of medical professionals who have failed to keep up with these developments.  So, it can be hard to find one who has.  And that “one” will probably be treating mostly children, and a few adults.

Something else to consider:  ADHD symptoms tend to flare up when we’re going through a period of great change, including peri-menopause and menopause.  Our monthly hormonal roller-coaster is wild enough, but that big one when we’re at “a certain age” is REALLY something.  As I’m finding out.  (Grrrrr…)

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[davidk2ft]

This is a reply to Kelly and it is late and I have had my own rough day, but I can remember my own difficulties only a few years (right, I should remember {no should?} back to the 3rd or 4th October Virtual ADHD Conference and David Giwerc, President & Founder ADD Coach Academy & excellent speaker and this was before I was diagnosed. But I already had some background, I was in healthcare myself and my Primary Care Physician & I had tried conservative measures and that included participating in programs like this & that is how I heard Rick Green & it continues. I enrolled in the pre-requisites courses at the ADD Coach Academy, ie. Simply ADHD & Personnel Transformation, and then through CHADD resourses found ADHD Psychologist & formally diagnosed and then with his suggestions found a Psychiatrist with little knowledge of ADHD, but willing to learn, but also good with Psych medications. He made significant changes in my medications and now about 3 years later at 70 years of age it is still a “Rollercoaster” with more up than down! But must remember, personal self-care and keep regular sleep, healthy diet & exercise are basic “must do” and that is what I am going to do now!!! I never did this before, Kelly, but I hope it helps. davidk2ft. [had difficulty staying up for this, so if grammar is off kilter, it’s just me!] off

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[kc5jck]

Try googling:

UC Mind Institute

and

Daniel Amen

These guys are going research in areas, including ADHD, and may know of someone local to you.

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[L8ly Lost]

wow!  Thanks so  much for all your help!!  I will look into local coaches (thanks Larynxa); and yes – self- care is important (thanks David – I’ve also posted notes late . . . thanks for staying up!).   And to Kc5ck:  I will look for the UC Mind Institute – and I already have Amen Clinics bookmarked for future consideration – need to call them  – hadn’t thought about asking them for a recommendation.  I need to find an “in-house” provider under my insurance (just considered) so i get “credit” toward my deductible.  Hopefully this won’t limit my options too much.

 

I have been under great stress of late – which is kinda funny when I’m not doing anything all day! – that’s actually a big stress factor.

 

appreciate your time – will keep you posted

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[Patte Rosebank]

@Hondochica, that’s one of the paradoxes of ADHD.  In a crisis, our interest-driven brains are getting all the stimulation they need, so we’re the calmest, most focussed ones in the room.

But when things are calm & routine, our poor interest-driven brains are bouncing off the walls, trying desperately to find enough stimulation to keep from going mad with boredom.  And that’s stressful as hell for us!  Especially when “nothing to do” also means a lack of any real structure or purpose to our day.  ADDers really need structure and purpose!

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