Find someone who knows
I keep telling people to make sure that the professional they go to really knows about ADD ADHD. Unfortunately, many don’t, and unfortunately, many don’t know that they don’t know.
So Rachel asked me, how do you tell?
my answer
Rachel – excellent question!
And I’m not sure I have a good answer.
Here are some possible questions to ask:
1. What causes ADD? – – We don’t know, it seems to involve genes, imaging shows that ADD brains are different from non- ADD,there may be other problems that could produce similar symptoms.
2 How is ADD treated? – – Usually with a combination of medication and strategies, coaching, sometimes therapy. Sleep, exercise, meditation, yoga are helpful.
3 How many people with ADD have you treated? how successfully? – – Claims of success should be encouraging, but not unbelievably good.
4 How do you make the diagnosis? – – – See Tip number 536
The answers you get should be in the ballpark of the ones I’ve given, else I would question the capability of the professional to diagnose or treat ADD ADHD.
Afterthoughts
I assume a certified ADD ADHD coach would be knowledgeable. The benefit of a psychiatrist is the option of medications. I went to a knowledgeable child psychiatrist for myself.
doug
Request O the Day
Rachel and I are looking for some help here. How do you assess the ADD ADHD competence of a professional?
Mike has suggested looking them up on the net. There are reviews of professionals, and also you may find a book or article they have written. Fine suggestion. Thank you, Mike 9/5/2014
Tip 536 on evaluation clik here
Bonus tip o the day
Tips from homey, on using planner, but these are effective in other ways too.
These kids know what they’re doing! And they’re organized!
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Doug, I didn’t know of ‘adult ADHD/ADD’ and was skeptical when first diagnosed. Today I look back and realize how fortunate I am that I arbitrarily landed in the office of a good psychiatrist who understands how to identify and treat ADHD. If I were looking for a doctor today, I would probably see if I could get some recommendations from any local ADHD groups.
Some of the attributes that help me to have confidence in the doctor:
* I was required to fill out a long (20+ pages) questionnaire prior to my first visit.
* The doctor had read my responses and discussed them with me during my first visit which lasted slightly over 1 hour. The doctor asked a lot more questions during this time also.
*. I was told during that first visit that he suspected ADHD and I was asked to read some books such as ‘Delivered from Distraction’ to better understand ADHD. I was surprised when I was able to identify many of my experiences in the book.
*’ The doctor interviewed several family members to get their perspective.
*. I knew that the decision to be treated was mine.
*. The various methods to treat ADHD (medication, counseling, exercise, yoga, structured life, etc) were discussed with me. P.S. I do all of the above. No one thing solves the distractions and other symptoms.
*. I knew within 48 hours of starting medications that the effect was dramatic in a positive way. It still brings tears to my eyes when I realize the calm and peace I felt and still feel.
*. Even with multiple changes in medications to find the right fit, I can say that I am living a quality life now.
P.S. My Internist did not recommend the psychiatrist I ended up going to. Once I told the Internist who I end up seeing, he told me that that was the same doctor he would send one of his family members if needed.
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Gail – excellent suggestions.. I may repost it. If you don’t object, or I may just pull the points out, and make another post, or both.
Sometimes we ADDers have difficulty with decisions?
Thank you for commenting
Doug
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