Adults with ADHD

[Anonymous]

Anyone have a suggestion for a doc in NW for diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

I used Dr. Sarah Hedlund, 1801 Ct. Ave. NW. 202-429-4938. She is a Phd, not a Dr. She will do the testing and then refer you to a Dr. for meds. She also does counseling around ADHD and general issues. Warning that the testing is costly and takes a fair amount of time ($2,000 for about 7 hours, which can be spread over a few weeks or days). I am 40 and got myself tested last year after a professional my husband knows suggested some of the characteristics I've shown seem similar to those of someone with ADHD inattentive. Turned out he was right. I have a relatively mild form with a larger dose of a processing disorder. I take a small dose of Vyvanse and that, with therapy, has greatly enhanced my ability to stay on task.

[Anonymous]

PP here. And, to answer your questions on my experience, whether I suspected there was something off, wished I'd found out earlier, etc. I was a definite dreamer and am one of those people who pay great attention to things I'm interested in but have to force myself with stuff I'm not. I definitely did struggle to keep on task with stuff that didn't catch my fancy and I did suspect that something was off. But, I didn't think I had ADHD. I even resisted testing for a while. That said, I wish I had been tested earlier. I really was struggling with tasks that were necessary but not interesting (especially work ones) and I had a hard time staying organized. Taking the meds and learning techniques to not be distracted has helped a lot.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP - but I don't need the testing. I am certain I have it. I need a shrink at this point to perscribe meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PP - but I don't need the testing. I am certain I have it. I need a shrink at this point to perscribe meds.

A doctor is not going to just write you a perscription for a highly abusable drug because you've determined your own diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

You do not need to spend thousands for testing. A psychologist or psychiatrist can talk to you, administer a test to you and others who know you well (Conners Scale), and arrive at a diagnosis.