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ADHD costs

Lui
Community Member

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

12 Replies 12

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

sbella02
Community Champion
Community Champion

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

Lui
Community Member
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

Guest_1643
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

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.

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

yaraxia
Community Member
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.

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.

Lui
Community Member

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

Lui
Community Member

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