can't access prescription

[rubberduckgal]

Hi! I have recently been officially diagnosed with ADHD as an adult (though I've been suspecting I had it for probably a decade, just reached a point where I had to do something).

But my previous doctor was kind of anti-stimulant, wanting to try several non-stimulants before turning to a stimulant as a "last resort" (even though I don't have any conditions that would warrant a particular hesitancy toward stimulants).

We spent a few months exhausting non-stimulants that did not help me at all and now that my doctor acknowledges that I need stimulants, they're leaving the office. So I can't start a stimulant prescription for two months when I meet with the new provider.

I'm a graduate student and I am barely staying afloat with my studies. I've been crying all day and considering dropping out. I don't know if I can keep up with everything for two more months. I barely sleep, I cry most nights, and I'm doing everything in last minute stress-induced cram sessions.

I'm so frustrated. I spent so much time and money (hundreds) on solutions that aren't even the standard first line of defense. I feel like this doctor wasted my time and money and I'm still in the same position I was before I was diagnosed, struggling and stress and sleep-deprived.

Does anyone have advice for what I can do to expedite this process? I'm thinking of leaving the office of my old provider altogether and finding a new psychiatrist, but will that mean I have to spend another few hundred dollars on getting screened from scratch again? I am so incredibly frustrated.

[STEM_Dad]

Welcome to the community rubberduckgal !

Since you have a diagnosis, then you shouldn't have to go through the diagnostic process again. If you change to a new doctor or psychiatrist and they aren't part of the same practice, you can authorize the old practice to transfer your medical records to your new provider.

However, each provider will have their own way of going about treatment. The best way to find out about a particular doctor or psychiatrist is to get a recommendation from someone you know.

• Do you know of anyone in your area who is an adult with ADHD who is happy with their doctor? That's the best referral that you could get.

• If not, you can try online reviews, but my experience with those is that they might not give the kind of information you want to know.

Since you're a grad student, try asking at the college. Do they have a clinic on campus? Maybe they can be some help. Do they have a counseling center? Try there, too. Do they have a psychology program? You can see if any of the professors is a practicing psychiatrist.

The student support/academic support services or disability services office might have information available about local doctors who treat patients who have ADHD.

(I worked at a university for several years, which gives me those ideas.)

Hopefully you can find a provider who can see you in weeks instead of months, will not question your diagnosis, and will work better with you on your medication needs. (According to ADHD experts like Dr. Russell Barkley, stimulant medications are indeed usually most effective, and can treat a larger number of people who have ADHD than non-stimulants can.)

Until then, the best things that you can do would be:

• try to get adequate sleep and rest

• get regular exercise (even if it's just walking, but exercise with a variety of movements, especially exercises that challenge balance and coordination, can be more effective)

• if you're feeling anxious or depressed, talk to a mental health counselor, or a mental health hotline if you have no other option

• stay well hydrated, and try to eat at least a few healthy meals each week

• engage in some positive social interaction every week

• when studying or doing homework assignments, use body-doubling (which means to work alongside a peer... even if you're not working on the same thing, the phenomenon of body doubling usually helps people to be more focused on their work)

[rubberduckgal in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you so much, this is both helpful and validating. It can be overwhelming trying to determine what I can do to help myself so seeing tips listed out like this is very valuable. Thank you.

[Shnookie]

it sounds like U have high anxiety as well. U might want a med for that. There needs to be a balance. I’m Bipolar 1, ADHD and high anxiety. I take a combo of meds to be balanced. I’m 65 and work 7 days a week. I’m not saying it’s easy. But rather there might be more than 1 factor making U feel the way U do.

[Eizee]

I understand your frustration. Was also diagnosed two years ago (at the ripe old age of 61 after worrying about dementia, my focus is so bad!). Knew I had it my whole life and it affected a lot. Here in FL, only a psychiatrist can prescribe Adderall and I tried for over a year with a referral but they are few and far between and didn’t respond.

My ins co sent me to the platform Psychologytoday.com to where I found a list of local providers who took my ins, chose a psych NP, and I’ve been doing health televisits. She manages my Adderall prescription.

Ask your insurer to help you find a practitioner or if there is an online platform that they use. Wishing you much luck!