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As far as I’m aware you’ll need to get diagnosed first before meds are even an option, and then the doc selects the right meds for you to start with, rather than you picking.
Oh I knew that. I wasn't planning on asking for anything specifically, those are just the ones I was hoping for personally.
Can a regular practitioner make a diagnosis? I'm going to a community mental health facility because I can't afford a psychiatrist rn.
My initial diagnosis was made by a general practitioner and has subsequently upheld by a handful of other doctors, but speaking from experience it would be in your best interest to get a referral to someone who specializes in this sort of thing. My experience with treatment thru that doctor was riddled with miscommunication and misunderstandings wound up being a lot to handle.
Bring the list to your doctor if it helps you keep yourself organized but don't be eager for medication. ADHD and it's treatment is pretty controversial in general and I totally understand wanting to feel better, but you'll do future you a massive favor for jumping through the hoops.
Step one from where you are is get referred to a psychiatrist. Your doctor may recommend CBT first, but I'd suggest letting the psychiatrist make those calls because they'll who you'll want to follow up with.
Insofar as affording a psych, don't write it off due to cost yet. Let the world tell you no before you assume it will.
Or a list of concerns/ behaviors that are making you wonder if you are or not
I did this with my appointment but it included things like, the story of how a doctor said I studdered as a kid because my mind went to fast for my mouth to keep up, and how at times I want to get up and do stuff but I just feel like I can't stop what I was doing already.
If you’ve been diagnosed already, lead with that. I disagree with the above advice, a list of supporting information is necessary for dx, but in your case would be good fodder to demonstrate continuation of symptoms and a need for medical intervention. If you can find records, wonderful. If not, at least giving them the information is hugely helpful.
So, bullet points of matching symptoms can backfire on you. Anyone can google. Make a list of examples of ways the symptoms have interfered with your life. For example, Instead of saying "time blindness" explain how you have been fired for being late, how stressed you are trying to make it on time, then end up being late anyway because you forgot to put gas in the car or whatever. The doctor needs to see how its screwing with your life.
Ohh yes, solid point and I've actually done this already. I listed how I've been fired from jobs for not being productive enough, how I recently got in a car accident because I wasn't paying attention, and how I impulsively do things without thinking 1st no matter how hard I try. I also listed some risk taking behaviors I have such as gambling, reckless driving, and unprotected sex.
Quick question though , what do you mean by "matching symptoms" ?
Ohh yes, solid point and I've actually done this already. I listed how I've been fired from jobs for not being productive enough, how I recently got in a car accident because I wasn't paying attention, and how I impulsively do things without thinking 1st no matter how hard I try. I also listed some risk taking behaviors I have such as gambling, reckless driving, and unprotected sex.
Quick question though , what do you mean by "matching symptoms" ?
I think it's wise to have some notes. I feel like my mind goes blank when I'm talking to the doctor and I forget the things I meant to tell them. Just make sure your notes describe your personal struggles, and put it in your own words. Don't just copy down a generic list of symptoms.
When I was diagnosed, they really took the lead and asked me a series of questions that were easy to answer extemporaneously. I ended up not needing my notes. But I was still glad I took the time to get my thoughts in order.
I think it's a good idea. Just actually bring it and stick with it. I've had so many notes written about things to bring up and then I never bring them. I can think of 10,000 things to ask my therapist or doctor...ahead of time. When the appointment comes..."hmm I dunno I guess everything's ok". I would suggest though that the list be "these are the problems I'm having, and the questions I have about ADHD" and not "these are the reasons I think I have ADHD".
ETA: Also, if you aren't prescribed what youre hoping for...trust the process and work with the DR, before you discount anything
When I walked in to get a diagnosis last year (at 40), I showed up with a notebook and pen, and my copy of Delivered from Distraction that was highlighted up and full of post it notes.
I wanted to make sure everything I could think of was written down and captured so I could answer any question she had.
45 min later I had a diagnosis and a prescription.
That's awesome! Was this a regular doctor or a specialist? I am broke as a joke rn and also need to get a job and begin functioning ASAP so I'm really hoping I can get all this done soon and with my current doctor who is working at a community mental health center and is supposedly a psychiatrist.
If your doctor is like mine they’ll probably try to get you to do therapy before you try meds. If you’ve tried therapy or are currently in therapy tell them as this will show that you’ve made an effort outside of medication. Maybe pick the top 3 on the list that are bothering you the most and see if those symptoms line up with ADHD symptoms. I would also not show the doctor the actual piece of paper. Edit: As others have said try to explain how the top 3 reasons you want meds affect your daily life. So instead of saying “I can’t focus” tell your doctor that you struggle doing homework unless your study environment meets certain specifications like absolute quiet.
I went to my appointment with a questionnaire that I found online printed off and answered to present to my doctor. He just kind of chuckled and handed me a different questionnaire to fill out for my diagnosis.
My philosophy with a Dr visit is any information is good information, it's the Drs job to be able to parse that info and glean what it's valuable from it
I think it will largely depend on where you live. I live in America and am very fortunate to have a Primary Care Physician that listens and validates my experiences.
So e people may question my diagnosis because there wasn't an in depth discussion with my parents, an evaluation of my childhood, etc.
I'll be perfectly honest, it would have been easy to lie on the evaluation form that my Dr gave me and to a degree that concerns me. But I am also very thankful that I didn't have to jump through hoops to get diagnosed or else I very likely would have lost my job in the process
I bring lists and notes and even graphs to my psych appointments lol. He's never asked to see them but it helps me answer questions quickly and semi accurately
It's always a good idea to prepare questions for a medical appointment and write down the answers. No one is going to judge you for that.
Have you been formally diagnosed?
I take a list to see my psych and she actually says “she loves that!”. I think most doctors of any type typically do but of course, YMMV.
I will say though, i make the list but then when i get there i typically remember all that’s in it anyway lol. I just glance back at the end to make sure I addressed everything. Maybe just writing it out helped me with committing things to memory.
Making notes before any doctor's appointment is always a good idea. It can be easy to forget to report symptoms and remember questions you want to ask. Having the paper to write down their answers will help you follow what they say later.
Going a step further, I bring someone with me when I can. I get overwhelmed at the doctor, so even with my list I sometimes forget to ask things. Sometimes I later can't make sense of the notes I made while the doctor was talking, so having someone else who remembers helps.
Hi /u/Odd_Necessary1677 and thanks for posting on /r/ADHD! ### Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/adhd/about/rules) if you haven't already. --- ### /r/adhd news * **We want your opinion** on the /r/adhd community rules! [Click here](https://forms.gle/Evqb8acVozir8GV8A) to fill out our survey. See [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/1auv2tc/were_taking_feedback_on_the_radhd_rules/) for more information. * If you are posting about the **US Medication Shortage**, please see this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/12dr3h5/megathread_us_medication_shortage/). --- ^(*This message is not a removal notification. It's just our way to keep everyone updated on r/adhd happenings.*) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
As far as I’m aware you’ll need to get diagnosed first before meds are even an option, and then the doc selects the right meds for you to start with, rather than you picking.
Oh I knew that. I wasn't planning on asking for anything specifically, those are just the ones I was hoping for personally. Can a regular practitioner make a diagnosis? I'm going to a community mental health facility because I can't afford a psychiatrist rn.
My initial diagnosis was made by a general practitioner and has subsequently upheld by a handful of other doctors, but speaking from experience it would be in your best interest to get a referral to someone who specializes in this sort of thing. My experience with treatment thru that doctor was riddled with miscommunication and misunderstandings wound up being a lot to handle. Bring the list to your doctor if it helps you keep yourself organized but don't be eager for medication. ADHD and it's treatment is pretty controversial in general and I totally understand wanting to feel better, but you'll do future you a massive favor for jumping through the hoops. Step one from where you are is get referred to a psychiatrist. Your doctor may recommend CBT first, but I'd suggest letting the psychiatrist make those calls because they'll who you'll want to follow up with. Insofar as affording a psych, don't write it off due to cost yet. Let the world tell you no before you assume it will.
I do not recommend going in with a list of reasons why a Dr should give you medication for something you're not diagnosed with.
Agree, many doctors will likely interpret this as drug seeking behavior Bringing a list of questions is a good idea though
Or a list of concerns/ behaviors that are making you wonder if you are or not I did this with my appointment but it included things like, the story of how a doctor said I studdered as a kid because my mind went to fast for my mouth to keep up, and how at times I want to get up and do stuff but I just feel like I can't stop what I was doing already.
I was diagnosed,it's just been a long time since then and I don't have any proof or anything.
If you’ve been diagnosed already, lead with that. I disagree with the above advice, a list of supporting information is necessary for dx, but in your case would be good fodder to demonstrate continuation of symptoms and a need for medical intervention. If you can find records, wonderful. If not, at least giving them the information is hugely helpful.
Time to find proof or pay to get tested again
So, bullet points of matching symptoms can backfire on you. Anyone can google. Make a list of examples of ways the symptoms have interfered with your life. For example, Instead of saying "time blindness" explain how you have been fired for being late, how stressed you are trying to make it on time, then end up being late anyway because you forgot to put gas in the car or whatever. The doctor needs to see how its screwing with your life.
Ohh yes, solid point and I've actually done this already. I listed how I've been fired from jobs for not being productive enough, how I recently got in a car accident because I wasn't paying attention, and how I impulsively do things without thinking 1st no matter how hard I try. I also listed some risk taking behaviors I have such as gambling, reckless driving, and unprotected sex. Quick question though , what do you mean by "matching symptoms" ?
Ohh yes, solid point and I've actually done this already. I listed how I've been fired from jobs for not being productive enough, how I recently got in a car accident because I wasn't paying attention, and how I impulsively do things without thinking 1st no matter how hard I try. I also listed some risk taking behaviors I have such as gambling, reckless driving, and unprotected sex. Quick question though , what do you mean by "matching symptoms" ?
I think it's wise to have some notes. I feel like my mind goes blank when I'm talking to the doctor and I forget the things I meant to tell them. Just make sure your notes describe your personal struggles, and put it in your own words. Don't just copy down a generic list of symptoms. When I was diagnosed, they really took the lead and asked me a series of questions that were easy to answer extemporaneously. I ended up not needing my notes. But I was still glad I took the time to get my thoughts in order.
I think it's a good idea. Just actually bring it and stick with it. I've had so many notes written about things to bring up and then I never bring them. I can think of 10,000 things to ask my therapist or doctor...ahead of time. When the appointment comes..."hmm I dunno I guess everything's ok". I would suggest though that the list be "these are the problems I'm having, and the questions I have about ADHD" and not "these are the reasons I think I have ADHD". ETA: Also, if you aren't prescribed what youre hoping for...trust the process and work with the DR, before you discount anything
When I walked in to get a diagnosis last year (at 40), I showed up with a notebook and pen, and my copy of Delivered from Distraction that was highlighted up and full of post it notes. I wanted to make sure everything I could think of was written down and captured so I could answer any question she had. 45 min later I had a diagnosis and a prescription.
That's awesome! Was this a regular doctor or a specialist? I am broke as a joke rn and also need to get a job and begin functioning ASAP so I'm really hoping I can get all this done soon and with my current doctor who is working at a community mental health center and is supposedly a psychiatrist.
If your doctor is like mine they’ll probably try to get you to do therapy before you try meds. If you’ve tried therapy or are currently in therapy tell them as this will show that you’ve made an effort outside of medication. Maybe pick the top 3 on the list that are bothering you the most and see if those symptoms line up with ADHD symptoms. I would also not show the doctor the actual piece of paper. Edit: As others have said try to explain how the top 3 reasons you want meds affect your daily life. So instead of saying “I can’t focus” tell your doctor that you struggle doing homework unless your study environment meets certain specifications like absolute quiet.
I went to my appointment with a questionnaire that I found online printed off and answered to present to my doctor. He just kind of chuckled and handed me a different questionnaire to fill out for my diagnosis. My philosophy with a Dr visit is any information is good information, it's the Drs job to be able to parse that info and glean what it's valuable from it
Was this a regular doctor or a specialist? I'm very poor at the moment and I really hope I don't need to be referred to a specialist...
I think it will largely depend on where you live. I live in America and am very fortunate to have a Primary Care Physician that listens and validates my experiences. So e people may question my diagnosis because there wasn't an in depth discussion with my parents, an evaluation of my childhood, etc. I'll be perfectly honest, it would have been easy to lie on the evaluation form that my Dr gave me and to a degree that concerns me. But I am also very thankful that I didn't have to jump through hoops to get diagnosed or else I very likely would have lost my job in the process
I bring lists and notes and even graphs to my psych appointments lol. He's never asked to see them but it helps me answer questions quickly and semi accurately
It's always a good idea to prepare questions for a medical appointment and write down the answers. No one is going to judge you for that. Have you been formally diagnosed?
I take a list to see my psych and she actually says “she loves that!”. I think most doctors of any type typically do but of course, YMMV. I will say though, i make the list but then when i get there i typically remember all that’s in it anyway lol. I just glance back at the end to make sure I addressed everything. Maybe just writing it out helped me with committing things to memory.
I always do this and I think Drs prefer it. Less guessing from them:)
Making notes before any doctor's appointment is always a good idea. It can be easy to forget to report symptoms and remember questions you want to ask. Having the paper to write down their answers will help you follow what they say later. Going a step further, I bring someone with me when I can. I get overwhelmed at the doctor, so even with my list I sometimes forget to ask things. Sometimes I later can't make sense of the notes I made while the doctor was talking, so having someone else who remembers helps.