Posted by mist on July 2, 2002, at 10:59:46
In reply to ADD, differential diagnosis help ???, posted by JonW on July 1, 2002, at 8:47:41
When I called some psychologists and a psychiatrist several weeks ago about getting an ADD diagnosis this is what they told me:
The psychiatrist I talked to diagnoses it without any tests. Just talks to the patient in a session and if it sounds like they have it, prescribes something. (This sounded preferable to me as the tests are expensive.) It's my understanding that this is generally how psychiatrists diagnose ADD.
One psychologist specializes in ADD clients, runs groups for them, etc. but does not diagnose. If someone wants an official diagnosis he sends them to someone who does the testing (another psychologist, I believe).
The one who does the ADD testing specializes mainly in tests of various kinds (learning disabilities, etc.).
I also went to an ADD support group. Some of those present had a formal diagnosis, others not.
By the way, there are also on-line tests. (When I took one, the results said it was "highly probable" that I have ADD.)
That was my experience in exploring how to get formally diagnosed. (Which might be useful for insurance purposes?) (Since I don't have health insurance at the moment, in my case I wasn't worried about it.)
poster:mist
thread:111115
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111199.html