The medical community is failing those with ADHD

[Bynddrvn]

This video was difficult for me to watch as I see my own struggle in her current situation.

"How ADHD Treatment Is Not ADHD Friendly" - youtu.be/aKUdadCsuRE(Not working as expected?)

My attention issues started in elementary school and I was tested for just about everything imaginable except ADHD. It wasn't until I was in college that I finally got tested and the tests indicated moderate to severe ADHD - Inattentive type. The medical professional who originally diagnosed me was at the time one of the leading figures in the research and study of ADHD. I spend hours and hours in his office getting tested and being tested on various levels of different medications.

In spite of his care and dedication to science over nonsense I have found lesser medical professionals questioning his diagnosis. I have been told that I can't have ADHD because I am too smart, adults don't have ADHD, and some have told me that they simply do not believe Attention Deficit Disorder is real. One primary care physician refused to prescribe my medication unless I got a more current test. He recommended an individual who graduated from Liberty University and as I would find out later - did not believe in ADHD. He diagnosed me with depression and as psychotic. I find the psychotic part interesting as he literally told me this in the isolated basement of the medical facility he was working in and we were alone. I don't know about you but if I was talking to a psycho - I might want someone else around, preferably a large security guard. Kind of a red flag that his diagnosis was to simply explain away my symptoms. As I had used up my entire yearly medical allotment for this jackwagon I had to pay out of pocket for a second opinion. The new psychologist who has ADHD himself, authored books on the subject, and stood as an expert witness in legal cases, immediately took me off the depression medication and put me back on Ritalin.

In the period of time I was off Ritalin, I made multiple errors at work and received a less than perfect review. The first time this had occurred in more than three years. My private life was a mess as well and I had trouble keeping up with my To Do lists. As far as I am concerned my primary care physician and the prejudiced psychologist put my career at risk as well as the quality of my life. I complained to the state board but they did not find anything wrong with providing the wrong diagnosis. In spite of receiving the correct diagnosis both before and right after his testing.

After the state refused to hold the quack accountable I got another gut punch in that my wonderful relatively new psychologist was retiring. He even thanked me for being such a good patient, always showing up on time. It took me months to find another provider and I spent entire days calling, emailing, and researching new providers online. Many ADHD professionals were booked up and were not taking new patients. I finally found a therapist and she is wonderful.

Now that I am back on my maintenance medication my life is improving. Yet I can't help but worry from time to time what will be the next challenge I will have to overcome to get my medication. It should not be this hard to get a proper diagnosis and FDA approved medication.

[Supabolide]

Congrats on finding a therapist who treats ADHD properly. I'm currently seeking a new psychiatrist, because the head doctor never calls in prescriptions in a timely manner so I always havesome withdrawl in between medication gaps.

[Bynddrvn in reply to Supabolide]

Yup, I had a primary care physician who did that for a while, then he started telling me every single month that it would be last time he wrote a prescription unless I got re-tested for ADHD. I pointed out that all of the testing centers and individuals who performed ADHD tests were booked for months. Still he thought it was a good idea to send my stress level through the roof because people do so well under a crushing level of stress. NOT!

Good luck with finding another therapist. I have to admit I just got tired of the b.s. and booked several therapists. My plan was to just walk out if I had the slightest feeling they would not continue my medication. Thankfully, my first appointment was with my wonderful new therapist and I did call all of the others to cancel.

I don't understand why they have to make it so hard to get our medication. We already have issues with time management, we don't need anyone else wasting hours of our time.

[alsomee]

I have no words for this (and also for the video I had already watched), apart from being scary as hell... I'm in Europe (Portugal, where at least we have a public national healthcare system) so hopefully I won't have to deal with this kind of thing but it makes me wonder what will happen if/when I lose my current doctor (the one who diagnosed me - probably the best specialist on ADHD we have). This type of issue people have in the US is the main reason my heart broke when Sanders gave up...

[StoneJeweler]

I have been through the same thing, it drives me crazy! I have been taking Adderal for over 14 years without a problem. In the last 2-3 years it has been horrible trying to get my RX, my doctor is not dependable, and when she does make an effort to fill my prescription, the pharmacy either doesn't have that brand or does not want to fill it. Now I find that Adderal and it's generics all contain BLUE dye and Aluminum(both are toxic, especially when you have ADD). I am thinking conspiracy? I am looking for another MD. Maybe I should move to a place that has the right doctors for me. Can anyone recommend a place where there is more than one or two doctors informed and willing to help an ADD/TBI person? I AM THINKING CALIFORNIA, WASHINGTON? I KNOW that Dr Amen has several treatment centers and he specializes in ADD/ADHD, brain trauma and the list keeps growing.

[Hidden]

Hi Bynddrvn,

I found myself saying to a practitioner, "remind me not to get cancer in your care" before looking for yet another practitioner. After seven months of that nonsense, I gave up. Am I supposed to struggle for years like most others do? I don't know; it sounds like a practitioner issue, not a patient issue. You're right, they are failing us. Effing utterly.