Psychologist vs Psychiatrist

[BRM]

Hi All,

My daughter (teenager) has recently undergone assessment and has been diagnosed with ADHD (inattentive) and being ASD. So many of the things that she struggles with I am just realising that I also do. Especially reading old school reports (needs to concentrate, flighty, leaves things to the last minute, late, etc). I've always just thought of myself as a lazy, disorganised person.

I thought that I should maybe get an assessment. A friend of mine did and medication has had a huge positive impact on his life.

I went to the GP and told him the situation. He wrote a referral to a Psychiatrist and also said "good idea, that way when your wife asks you to do something, you can say that you didn't hear because off ADHD". Very flippant and don't worry, I won't be going back to him.

I also think that seeing a psychologist would be a great idea to help deal with a few issues (anxiety etc). My question is: Should I go the the Psychiatrist first and get the ASD/ADHD assessment? OR Try and book in with a Psychologist first? Either way, I will book in a psychologist but I've spend far too many hours contemplating and researching which to do first, so I'd love anyone elses opinions.

Thanks in advance!

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear BRM…

A very warm and caring welcome to the forums..

I don’t read think it matters much which you decide to make your first appointment with, a psychologist can and usually does talk therapy where a psychiatrist can diagnose mental health issues and if they they think you would benefit from medication also give you prescriptions for mental health meds…

The Dr that you saw firstly seems very unprofessional and I think reaching out to another Dr might be a god idea for further help with your mental health as well as physical help…

I am not sure I’ve been any help to you at all…..after my diagnosis with my Dr. I was put on a mental health care plan and first saw a psychologist, which help I suppose with talking out my concerns, once I saw a psychiatrist and properly diagnosed, I was put on meds, which did help me…it did take a few try’s though for the psychiatrist to find the right meds for me….

I’m sure more members will pop in and also try to help you with the decision your struggling with..

Thinking of you with kind thoughts and care..

Grandy…

[therising]

Hi BRM

A couple of years back, my 19yo son was diagnosed by a psychologist as being at the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. My 21yo daughter was diagnosed with ADHD a couple of months back, by a psychiatrist. What I learned from this experience is...there are advantages in going to a psychiatrist first. One advantage involves the psychiatrist's ability to prescribe certain medications, something a psychologist can't do (as they're not qualified). So, while you could pay a few thousand dollars to have a psychologist do an extensive assessment, I learned you then have to pay a psychiatrist to do their own assessment, so that can treat you with medication (if medication is the avenue you wish to do down). It can save time and money to see a psychiatrist first, someone who'll then refer you to a psychologist for further management.

I smiled when you mentioned being able to relate to your daughter's struggles. The reason being is based on hearing my daughter occasionally say 'Mum, you're so ADHD. You know you show all the signs'. While I can fully relate to some of my daughter's struggles and some of my son's, I don't necessarily feel myself as being on the AuDHD spectrum. I wonder 'Is it because I'm not on this spectrum or is it because I have the freedom to choose my challenges and I avoid the ones that are really going to test me?'. Life's much easier when you can choose to not go to school and test your focus, choose what social settings you'll put yourself in and which you'll reject, while also choosing a whole stack of other things. When there's little to no choice, our nature, chemistry and neural pathways can be inclined to create some sense of disorder in life, a sense of disorder than can definitely be felt at times.

[BRM]

Hi Grandy,

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Much appreciated.

[BRM]

thanks for this.

I’ve sat looking at a computer screen for too many hours trying to work out the best way forward. It’s nice to hear some more first hand experiences, after all I don’t really want to waste money if I don’t have to.

I think I’ll end up doing both but I might follow through with the psychiatrist first.

cheers.

[Rob]

Brave BRM,

After years of visits to GPs, psychologists, etc, I was finally referred by my awesome GP, to a neuropsychologist who spotted my Adult-onset ADHD as soon as I entered his room. He eventually got me in to see a psychiatrist, the only specialist who can prescribe certain "higher up the ladder" meds.

I'm now on a very effective stable dose and happy it has finally worked out at 65 years old!

My advice is to see all the different health professionals you want, but make sure you take the expensive step to see the psychiatrist. It broke my bank but was worth every cent.

I now have periodic phone consults with the psychiatrist when the meds run out and I need a new script, and I'm also using a Mental Health Treatment Plan to continue my sporadic visits to the psychologist.

I hope this helps.

Good luck to you and your daughter.