| Diagnosing adult ADHD is a challenging task requiring | | | | treating mental health issues such as behavioral and |
| training and experience. Both psychiatrists and | | | | cognitive counseling. They also have a good reputation |
| psychologist generally meet this criteria but there | | | | when it comes to unraveling the web of mysteries |
| approaches likely will be quite different. If you have a | | | | often surrounding mental health disorders and coming |
| few extra minutes why don't we take a look at each | | | | up with a reliable, and proper diagnosis. |
| one of these specialists and perhaps provide some | | | | Many adults with ADHD find their psychologists to be |
| direction as to which one is the best choice for | | | | an invaluable source for finding new and innovative |
| confirming a diagnosis of adult ADHD. | | | | ways to deal with common everyday issues related to |
| Diagnosing Adult ADHD – Psychiatrists | | | | ADHD. They may also view their ADHD psychologist |
| Psychiatrists are considered medical doctors, thus | | | | as a friend who is willing to listen to their personal and |
| giving them the flexibility to prescribe medications and | | | | professional issues in a caring and unassuming way. |
| run medical tests. On the other hand they may not be | | | | On the downside they are unable to run medical tests |
| trained, or for that matter interested, in counseling. | | | | or write prescriptions. To accomplish this they must |
| Additionally, they may not be very good at providing | | | | refer you to a medical doctor. While the initial cost will |
| you with answers concerning common day to day | | | | probably be less, and the commitment to treatment |
| problems linked to inattention, impulsivity, and | | | | less lengthy, the fact that multiple doctors will be |
| hyperactivity/restlessness. | | | | involved could make the cost of seeing either one of |
| As far as psychiatrists go, cost may be a serious | | | | these professionals about the same. |
| issue with fees ranging from $200 and up for a 45 | | | | What next? For those struggling with ADHD finding an |
| minute session. To make the financial impact even | | | | effective treatment option is an important first step. |
| worse a psychiatrist or psychoanalyst may insist on a | | | | After confirming a diagnosis the most common |
| long term a long term commitment which could run in | | | | method of treatment will likely be prescription |
| tens of thousands of dollars. For example, there are | | | | stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse. While |
| 53 weeks in a year and you were committed signed | | | | effective, all stimulant medications come with a number |
| up for a one year plan, that would be 200x53= | | | | of serious label warnings. The risk of side effects, or |
| $10,600. A big number in anyone's book. | | | | perhaps lack of success with stimulants, has prompted |
| Diagnosing Adult ADHD – Psychologists | | | | many to investigate other options. A couple examples |
| Realistically, most people don't know there is such a | | | | of this are behavior modification therapy and/or natural |
| huge difference in psychologists and psychiatrists. It is | | | | remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side |
| really quite understandable since the names sound so | | | | effect free way to address such problematic |
| similar. | | | | symptoms as inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, erratic |
| Psychologists are not licensed medical doctors, but | | | | behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a |
| have received extensive training in conditions of the | | | | standalone treatment or as a compliment to other |
| mind, and well as useful non-prescription tactics in | | | | nonprescription alternatives. |