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> As soon as the call began they asked if I felt like I had ADHD. I said maybe and they stopped and said that they only diagnose anxiety. What they really mean

by IncRnd 5y ago

> As soon as the call began they asked if I felt like I had ADHD. I said maybe and they stopped and said that they only diagnose anxiety. What they really meant is that their business is optimized for prescribing certain medications with the same diagnosis and same spiel given to every patent conversation.

cryptnotic 5y ago
An ADHD diagnosis needs to be done by a neuropsychologist, who usually has a Ph.D. and specific board certifications. An anxiety disorder diagnosis is usually done by a psychiatrist, who is a doctor with an M.D. and specific psychiatry certifications.
- IncRnd 5y ago
  Thank you. However, I'm not sure that is correct. There are several types of professionals who typically diagnose ADHD. These include: physicians (especially psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists), psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and other licensed counselors or therapists (e.g. professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, etc.). [1] Some examples of professionals who are capable of diagnosing ADHD include: pediatricians, psychiatrists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, psychotherapists. [2] [1] https://chadd.org/about-adhd/professionals-who-diagnose-and-treat-adhd/ https://chadd.org/about-adhd/professionals-who-diagnose-and-... [2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-doctor https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-doctor
  - ksaj 5y ago
    That is interesting that some of them are authorized to diagnose, but can't write a prescription to control it. I guess that's why they'll all eventually send you to a "specialist," which is another way of saying "someone authorized to medicate you for this." I'm not sure though - physicians can prescribe Ritalin, but at least here, they always send you off to be checked out by a psychiatrist first.
    - IncRnd 5y ago
      That makes sense to me. Of course, I'm not disputing the existence of specialists. A nurse practitioner or pediatrician may not have the most familiarity or want to deal with the issue.
  - cryptnotic 5y ago
    I agree that it's both broader and more complicated than what I wrote. At least in some states in the U.S., a neuropsychologist can diagnose ADHD, but can't write prescriptions for medications to treat it. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist can write prescriptions for a patient with ADHD, but might only do so after he reads a diagnosis from a neuropsychologist. Your experience may vary. Also, diagnoses for disability accommodations (e.g., in education) are a whole different and complicated thing.

by IncRnd 5y ago

cryptnotic 5y ago

An ADHD diagnosis needs to be done by a neuropsychologist, who usually has a Ph.D. and specific board certifications. An anxiety disorder diagnosis is usually done by a psychiatrist, who is a doctor with an M.D. and specific psychiatry certifications.

IncRnd 5y ago
Thank you. However, I'm not sure that is correct. There are several types of professionals who typically diagnose ADHD. These include: physicians (especially psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists), psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and other licensed counselors or therapists (e.g. professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, etc.). [1] Some examples of professionals who are capable of diagnosing ADHD include: pediatricians, psychiatrists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, psychologists, psychotherapists. [2] [1] https://chadd.org/about-adhd/professionals-who-diagnose-and-treat-adhd/ https://chadd.org/about-adhd/professionals-who-diagnose-and-... [2] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-doctor https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/adhd-doctor
- ksaj 5y ago
  That is interesting that some of them are authorized to diagnose, but can't write a prescription to control it. I guess that's why they'll all eventually send you to a "specialist," which is another way of saying "someone authorized to medicate you for this." I'm not sure though - physicians can prescribe Ritalin, but at least here, they always send you off to be checked out by a psychiatrist first.
  - IncRnd 5y ago
    That makes sense to me. Of course, I'm not disputing the existence of specialists. A nurse practitioner or pediatrician may not have the most familiarity or want to deal with the issue.
- cryptnotic 5y ago
  I agree that it's both broader and more complicated than what I wrote. At least in some states in the U.S., a neuropsychologist can diagnose ADHD, but can't write prescriptions for medications to treat it. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist can write prescriptions for a patient with ADHD, but might only do so after he reads a diagnosis from a neuropsychologist. Your experience may vary. Also, diagnoses for disability accommodations (e.g., in education) are a whole different and complicated thing.