Seeking help in Toronto

[Anonymous]

Hi there.

My name is Darrin.

I’m a 31 year old Toronto based musician/painter. My parents were told by a specialist when I was 6 that I had adhd, but they didn’t believe in the disorder.

I’ve recently read ‘Delivered from Distraction’ and have been monkeying around on this excellent site all day.

I am 100% sure I have ADHD.

I answered yes to every question on this site’s virtual adhd test.

I’m just having a hard time figuring out what to do next.

I looked into the Springboard Clinic in Toronto, but it is $1200 for the assessment there.

They seem great, but that is too much for me to spend.

I am very interested in trying meds, I guess my main question is, do I need to have an assessment to receive help/meds for adhd?

Can anyone recommend some to see in Toronto who can help?

By the way, this site is amazing. Feels like a Godsend!

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[Bibliophile]

If you have a family doctor, start there. They can always refer you to a specialist if need be. Obviously, someone who is knowledgeable is best. Try to figure out what you want the meds to provide to see if you will also require behavioural or other therapies to achieve your goals. My own doctor was very supportive. It is a long process, so don’t rush things (easier said than done for someone with ADHD, I know.)

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[Bibliophile]

I should qualify my last post by adding that while my doctor was very understanding with respect to treating the ADHD, she was reluctant to treat the comorbidities, e.g. anxiety and dysthymia (mild depression). A lot of physicians believe that treating the ADHD first may see relief in the comorbid conditions so that is how they approach it.

Oh, and I am in the GTA as well.

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[Anonymous]

Awesome, thanks so much, librarian_chef. I will get in touch with my family doctor asap.

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[Anonymous]

Same recommendation here! If you have a GP, they may be willing to give a shot at giving meds as long as there are no co-mobidities that are involved. As the librarian_chef stated, the co-morbidities are the things that they usually get ‘hooked’ on, assuming that is the REAL issue.

Oftentimes, depression is caused by the trials and tribulations that we encounter day in and day out, just doing simple things that others accomplish easily. In that case, treat the ADD and you may find depression disappears! Then again, there is sometimes other stuff going on that needs to be dealt with first.

If you have a good relationship with your GP, check them out first. Mine gave me meds and then abruptly withdrew them but that is because of issues she was having with a misdiagnosis she had made on another medical issue of mine. It ended up being a long drawn out battle getting anywhere but I refused to give up.

I’m in the GTA as well and ended up seeing someone (yes, $$$) but it was worth it in the long run. I was too old to mess around waiting on her (GP) any longer. Keep us posted!

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[Anonymous]

Hi Darrin,

My husband was lucky, he self-diagnosed, his doctor agreed with him, and prescribed him Ritalin (which he doesn’t take). After a few years (6 or 7) I finally acknowledged that I probably have it too, even worse (hitting rock bottom) and went to my doc after taking a trial of his meds and discovering a whole new world where I could concentrate, stay on task, feel “normal”, etc.

Made an appointment with my doc and she freaked out about the Ritalin. Said she wouldn’t diagnose ADHD and that I needed a full psychiatric assessment. There were two options:

[1] general psychological testing (covered under OHIP but wait months perhaps)

[2] see an adult ADHD specialist (available pretty quickly, costs $1,000 but comprehensive and includes treatment recommendations for my doctor to follow)

She preferred the latter so I called the Bilkey clinic which happens to be in Barrie where I live. I’ve just had session 1 of 3.

I can’t really afford the $1,000 either but then, I had to spend over $400 last year to fight a major speeding ticket and I fear it’s not the last time. So you could weigh the costs (physically and emotionally) over the rest of your life in not getting a proper assessment. Think of it as an investment in the rest of your life.

My doc was concerned about co-morbidities that can mimic ADHD, and she also said that Ritalin was not what she would prescribed (Bilkey confirmed this, said Ritalin was the model T of ADHD drugs and that there were ones out there with better delivery systems).

So I lean towards a proper assessment, someone that knows adult ADHD and can guide you once you get past the official diagnosis.

I’m just starting out, having really up & down days as I deal with the direct hit of realizing what’s really been going on in my life (I’m 55).

Susan

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[Anonymous]

Hi Darrin,

I might also suggest that since you are in Toronto you check out the Toronto Adult ADD Support Group. They meet the 1st and 2nd mondays of each month, and I have found it helpful to learn from other people. Both in terms of tools, techniques for dealing with ADD, but also just hearing other peoples experience, seeing myself reflected in them, understanding better how ADD plays out in my life. Also sometimes just to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

http://www.meetup.com/adultadd-297/

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[beebster]

Hi Darrin,

Did you ever find someone in your area? I am also in the GTA (West) and also looking for guidance and advice. I have not been formally diagnosed as yet. In fact I’m trying to avoid seeing my family doctor because I feel he may just brush it aside. It already takes a huge amount of courage for me to seek help as it is. Anyway I got in contact with a psychologist that has ADHD experience. It’s EXPENSIVE and that’s just the 4 hour assessment ONLY!

I’m afraid to think of med costs and therpay sessions – so just to save money I may just used meds and find other alternative to help…hopefuly there are some out there. In my mind I feel that if the meds can just help to help my focus maybe that would help alot – I hope so.

I would love to know your progess Darrin.

@no_dopamine

I have heeard about Bilky in Barrie from the psychologist I spoke with, from my understanding he is a psychiatrist which is covered by OHIP initially but Bilky also uses psychologists and other professionals to do these ADHD assessments and therapy sessions and those are not covered by OHIP so you end up still paying out of the pocket. Is this how it was for you?

@ Paully

Do you know of any other Adult ADD support groups? There is no way I could make these meetups in rush hour traffice after work. So far I haven’t been able to find any other meetups nearby. Would appreciate any further info you may have

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[Anonymous]

Hi beebster,

Yes, I did have to pay a fee to Dr B, but I feel it was worth it. The office visits are covered by OHIP, but the testing is not. I have had three sessions with him and I am not done yet, he is waiting for the outcome of a sleep study I just had done. As far as I know, he just does assessments, he doesn’t accept patients. I thought he was very good, he totally “gets it”. I had to fill out a 65 page questionnaire, do a computer test, and had 2 interviews with him (one with my spouse), and a followup, at which time he said he wanted me to have a sleep study to rule out any sleep disorders that might be presenting as ADD. Dr B says sleep disorder (if any) needs to be treated first and then he’ll deal with any residual ADD.

I would rather fork over $ for a proper assessment with a treatment plan that my family doc just has to follow rather than wait for an OHIP freebie from a hospital psychiatrist who is less experienced and who leaves treatment up to my family doc. I want an ADD professional to guide my treatment. My family doc is not comfortable with doing the ADHD diagnosis, and if she’s not comfortable with that, how experienced will she be in determining what is an effective treatment plan for me? I still have lots of life left to live at 56 years of age, and I’m willing to invest in myself.

At least things are moving along now, my sleep study and followup were marked urgent, by the end of next week I am hoping to get more answers and hopefully be into some kind of med treatment by the end of the month.

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[beebster]

no_dopamine

You mentioned the office visits are covered by OHIP….what ARE the office visits? Are they actually therapy sessions? I’m sorry I am very new to this so excuse my ignorance in this matter.

I’m assuming the assessment (usually 4 hours right?) is done on one day and then afterward – there is a followup session to discuss findings right?? (this session I assume is considered an ‘office visit’ right?????)

and I suppose that any other additional session is also and ‘office visit’ and these are covered by OHIP. Am I on the right track here????

I am not too concerned about paying for the assessment, I too want to have a proper assessment with someone that is EXTREMELY experienced with ADHD in adults. My concern is post-assessment costs. Whether it be medication, or medication AND therapy, I’m concerned about not running myself into debt because holy smokes therapy is expensive!!!

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[Grainy]

I went to The ADHD Clinic in Toronto, near Davisville subway station. Cost: $875 + HST (=just under $1K). I felt they did a good assessment, looked for co-morbidities, etc. The process was about 4 or 5 hrs over 2 appts + a third appt to receive the diag. and treatment plan, which the fam. physician can deal with. Cost was for psychometrist and psychologist. OHIP paid for the psychiatrist.

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[Anonymous]

Hi beebster,

I can’t recall exactly how long each session was, probably an hour (but the first was 90 minutes). And yes, the sessions are considered “office visits”.

I had to fill out the questionnaire and bring it to the first appointment. My husband came to that appointment, and Dr B interviewed us both together (the idea being that my husband would confirm or deny my answers – ie some things I do that I’m not aware of). I also did the computer test that first session.

At the second session, it was just a one-on-one interview with Dr B – he had reviewed some of my questionnaire by that point.

The third session was supposed to be the final followup and then he would issue his report to my family doctor, but it didn’t end there as he wanted to have a sleep study done. Usually it’s three sessions, but not in my case. I’m glad, because he has a great collection of Norris cartoon books in his office patient lounge (a separate room from the reception area) and I want to go back and read them!

I believe Dr B specialises in assessing adult ADHD. He came highly recommended to me, both by my family doc and later I found out a good friend of mine’s partner saw him years ago. She went to the interview with her partner and said Dr B was quite good, that he would definitely followup with me after issuing the report and treatment plan to my doctor. That’s very important to me.

I do see a Toronto psychologist but it’s for meditation training and we work on personal material that gets in the way of that training. So I’m in therapy of sorts. It’s quite helpful. Some have sliding scale fees.

Hope that’s helpful. I have never heard of the ADHD clinic that Grainy mentioned, on their website it looks like they assess pediatric and adolescent ADHD, but perhaps they do adults as well.

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[Anonymous]

I am worried, In BC the Mental Health psych gave me a 45 minute interview and said i had ADH and should be on

wellbutrin and Straterra and another pill to help me sleep since Straterra seems to wake me up too early.

I guess different provinces have different resources … i havent found any ADHD resources or clinics out here.

lol may have to relocate/

How did you find ADHD clinics and specialists? Hopefully not phonebook .. none out here. thanks

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[Anonymous]

Referral by my family doc, but also I have looked on the internet to see whatever resources are available. Wish I’d done that first, although I did get to see a top-rated specialist, fortunately in the city where I live so I didn’t have to travel far.

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[beebster]

@ Grainy, I’ve never heard of them. I’ve heard of “the ADD center” — I called them up a month ago. The lady I spoke with was very helpful and informative…I forget her name. but never went ahead – it’s an alternative to medication. training the brain and teaching you skills to cope. don’t know anyone tha has used them before…but it is pricey…what else is new? lol

@ no_dopamine

Just want to make sure I understand, so the assesment has it’s own costs but all the other office visits areseparate and charged per visit??? Sorry I just want to make sure I understand.

I heard of Bilky through speaking with Dr. David Teplin who is another psychologist that is experienced with ADHD in adults. He is in North York but Bilky is in Barrie which is about an hour away from me. I haven’t decided on which one to go see.

It seems that Bilky’s operation covers some of the OTHER costs associated with the assesment,since there is some psychiatry involved. With Teplin only psychology is involved.

One more thing – do I need to be referred to Bilky by my family doctor since psychiatry is involved?

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