topic ADHD costs in Treatments, health professionals and therapies

ADHD costs

Lui — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 23:50:56 GMT

I've discovered it's ADHD that has caused my anxiety/depression for my 58 years of life!

But the costs are killing me!

The psychiatrist wants me to get a second opinion, and then back to him again. It's so expensive. i have been able to work for more than 30 years due to this, how are we supposed to afford it? Is there anywhere, any way we can get some back? Medicare only covers a small part of it

ADHD costs

Lui — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:14:11 GMT

That should be "haven't" been able to work for more than 30 years

ADHD costs

sbella02 — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 05:07:57 GMT

Hey Lui,

Thank you for sharing your experience, and welcome back to our forums.

I would suggest having a chat to your GP to see if there's anything else they recommend, and they can always refer you onto another psychiatrist/health professional if necessary.

I hope this helps, please feel free to let us know how you're going and if you need any further assistance.

All the best, SB

ADHD costs

Lui — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 06:22:39 GMT

sbella02 said:
Hey Lui,

Thank you for sharing your experience, and welcome back to our forums.

I would suggest having a chat to your GP to see if there's anything else they recommend, and they can always refer you onto another psychiatrist/health professional if necessary.

I hope this helps, please feel free to let us know how you're going and if you need any further assistance.

All the best, SB

All psychiatrists that specialise in ADHD are similar costs. There's nothing the gp can do. I need the psychiatrist to get meds

ADHD costs

Guest_1643 — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 07:31:54 GMT

My psychiatrist told me this is a notorious problem, that some drs see ppl for a short time, and charge them a lot, and diagnosis adhd too quickly and too expensively

A second opinion sounds sound, always a good idea

After u have paid about 2000 dollars or something out of pocket, Medicare gives u more back for Ur medical appointments like 85 percent.

If this is true for u, once u hit that threshold, you will get more back.

ADHD costs

white knight — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 00:58:27 GMT

Welcome

Agree with sleepy, a 2nd opinion is gold.

Lui, I have the same history. I was incorrectly diagnosed with adult ADHD in 2003 and was prescribed a special medication (we cant mention it here) that was hugely expensive. He was also persistent and that is because I believe the psychiatrist was getting a cut from the prescription.

I tried a further 11 medications over 6 years and all failed to improve my condition, if fact were very harmful. So I then got a 2nd opinion- the new diagnosis- bipolar, dysthymia, depression and anxiety (anxiet yI largely overcame over a 20 year period).

Took the required medication and presto- huge improvement.

So,

I recommend the 2nd opinion.
If your 2nd opinion is also ADHD then push for cheaper medication (of which there are some)
Seek out the affects of other forms of action that assist in ADHD like gardening or other forms of exercise. (note: ASSIST, not substitute)
All the best.
TonyWK

ADHD costs

yaraxia — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 02:31:47 GMT

The costs of ADHD treatment is ridiculous in Australia but is a reflection of our underfunded mental health system. It is impossible to be diagnosed and treated in the public system so unfortunately you will have to pay up front costs to a private psychiatrist. My first session with a psychiatrist cost $430 and according to my GP that is a normal price. I did get about half back but if you don't have that money in the first place than you will miss out. If you have a healthcare card than your medications will be subsidised substantially depending on what medication is prescribed. I don't have any advice but i empathise with your situation.

ADHD costs

Guest_1643 — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 09:56:45 GMT

Hi Tony, wow how greedy that they diagnose meds because they get a cut!

My psychiatrist just this week told me he often has to protect patients when they come to him and he sees, patient after patient, has claimed they have adhd. How they know they have it? A Dr saw them for 10 minutes, charged a fortune, and came to that conclusion.

This is a huge problem, that it is so tricky and pricey to get the right dx.

I think, though expensive, a second opinion can shine a lot of light.

I was wrongly diagnosed and getting the wrong treatment, so one night felt so vulnerable I called psych triage, after an hour of chatting, the nurse merely questioned the medication and treatment I was receiving, and noted I'd claimed my problems had become roughly the same time I started on them...

I then went to a specialist for a diagnosis, it did cost a lot, but it helped me find the right treatment.

I had 2 sessions with a specialist which felt live saving.

ADHD costs

Lui — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 12:22:08 GMT

The problem is that I have other health problems and medications. Things clash. So he was finding it tricky to think of a med that would work with my problems

I've been on many different antidepressants for 30 odd years. Nothing has helped much. But ADHD definitely sounds right to me. I tick all the boxes

ADHD costs

Lui — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 12:24:08 GMT

Yeah, and then the second opinion costs even more, then back to him again

There's only so many meds he can give me because of clashes and health problems

Re: ADHD costs

LiliLemon — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 06:58:25 GMT

Hi Lui,

I am going through the same thing at the moment..trying to find a way to afford an assessment. I am currently on the Disability Support Pension for a PTSD diagnosis after being a victim of crime. That's an entirely separate issue. However, it obviously makes it impossible for me to afford the $1500 required from ADHD Assessment clinics in NSW. I have known for a long time that I need to be assessed, but have muddled my way through life in spite of it. Only now, I am back at university attempting to complete Postgrad studies and my symptoms feel rampant now that I am required to apply myself in the academic environment. How on Earth our health system thinks it's ok for Adult ADHD Assessment to be inaccessible is beyond me. Obviously only people who have money deserve assistance and treatment. It's so wrong. I can't believe you managed to pay for the assessment once and they have the gall to ask for you to pay it again. Even if I could somehow manage to pay for it, there is no way I'd ever be able to do it twice. This is criminal.

Re: ADHD costs

Beaser — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 05:16:45 GMT

Im and my phycologists feels that ADHD could be my issue.. Ive said that i dont feel like ive lived a normal life and feel as though something has been missed. But now what i have to try and get into a psychiatrist and get diagnosis and treatments... I cant afford it money wise and cant get into see a psychiatrist easily. I just dont now how to go about things.

Re: ADHD costs

Beyond-Over-This — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 05:19:04 GMT

Hi Lui

I'm having the same issue. Diagnosed last year at 64yo....tried stimulant meds with disastrous effect. Then I was told I should have been supervised regularly and had meds tweaked until they get them right. Dr is trying to find an ADHD shrink who can do this but the thought of trying again at $350 per session or more is making me feel more stressed.

I'm also now trying TMS for depression/anxiety caused by untreated ADHD issues. I'm really starting to feel the drs don't really know what they're doing and I'm a guinea pig. I'm going to push on to the Medicare limit but give up if I have no progress after TMS. It's supposed to only have 50-60% success rate and you need 30-35 sessions. It does give me some comfort that someone else is experiencing this very same issue. I'm lucky I actually have money in the bank but there's a limit to how much of your savings you should use before financial difficulty causes more stress. If I'd never had ADHD and depression anxiety issues I'd be a different person with a healthy bank account. I don't know anyone who has spent as much time and money as I have trying to get well and then I've had ridicule from supposed friends about it so I'm chooing to write here instead where I may get some understanding and support.

Beyond Over This.