3 ms·

>Not drowning isn't the same as thriving, and I wondered what I could accomplish if I could spend some of those mental cycles on more productive goals. We found

>Not drowning isn't the same as thriving, and I wondered what I could accomplish if I could spend some of those mental cycles on more productive goals. We found some meds that work well for me, and I'm still astonished at the ability to, you know, choose work on the things I want and need to work on. What a different world that is! writing as someone that might be undiagnosed... thank you for writing this. More encouragement to take action myself. Can I ask, did you start with your primary care physician and work your way through the system, or did you start with a psychiatrist?

kstrauser 3y ago
You're welcome! This is a medical issue, not some personal failing or lack of willpower or anything like that. I think it's important to talk openly about these things. I tried going through my PCP and working my way up but didn't get far with it. My PCP referred me to a psychiatrist who seemed nice but wasn't very helpful. She thought I had difficulty focusing because of anxiety; I thought I was anxious because I had difficulty focusing. Honestly, I felt like she started with a hypothesis and only heard the evidence that supported it. (In fairness, I started with the hypothesis that I had ADHD, so she could probably say exactly the same thing about me.) A friend of mine had told me about a good experience with an online doctor. After frustration with the previous doc, I made a video chat appointment with his. That one was night and day different. I know, I know: "Oh really? You found an ADHD doctor and they said you had ADHD? I'm shocked!" But the previous doc wasn't willing to try any treatment. The new one gave me a prescription for a low dose of a cheap medicine, and I could tell the difference from the first day. If you live in California and would like a specific recommendation, let me know. My website's on my profile, and my email's on my website.
Obscurity4340 3y ago
That's usually how it works. The primary care -> psychiatrist route is the main eatablished roadmap. There may be private options but a referral to a psychiatrist who provides a diagnosis and treatment is the gold standard, so to speak.

kstrauser 3y ago

You're welcome! This is a medical issue, not some personal failing or lack of willpower or anything like that. I think it's important to talk openly about these things. I tried going through my PCP and working my way up but didn't get far with it. My PCP referred me to a psychiatrist who seemed nice but wasn't very helpful. She thought I had difficulty focusing because of anxiety; I thought I was anxious because I had difficulty focusing. Honestly, I felt like she started with a hypothesis and only heard the evidence that supported it. (In fairness, I started with the hypothesis that I had ADHD, so she could probably say exactly the same thing about me.) A friend of mine had told me about a good experience with an online doctor. After frustration with the previous doc, I made a video chat appointment with his. That one was night and day different. I know, I know: "Oh really? You found an ADHD doctor and they said you had ADHD? I'm shocked!" But the previous doc wasn't willing to try any treatment. The new one gave me a prescription for a low dose of a cheap medicine, and I could tell the difference from the first day. If you live in California and would like a specific recommendation, let me know. My website's on my profile, and my email's on my website.

Obscurity4340 3y ago

That's usually how it works. The primary care -> psychiatrist route is the main eatablished roadmap. There may be private options but a referral to a psychiatrist who provides a diagnosis and treatment is the gold standard, so to speak.