Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can interfere with your quality of life and your relationships with others. If you are struggling with this condition, it is certainly worth your time to seek professional help! But how can you find a psychiatrist or another care provider who fits your needs? This blog post provides some practical tips.
Talk to Your Primary Care Provider
If you do not yet have an official ADHD diagnosis, that is the first thing you need to seek before you receive treatment. The good news is that you may not need to see a specialist for this step. Most family doctors and primary care providers can perform screenings and assessments that lead to an ADHD diagnosis. They can also help to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. Many of them have at least a few local mental health professionals to whom they refer patients for additional care.
Consider Specialties, Experience, and Treatment Methods
Each psychiatrist and mental health professional has a unique approach to care. Here are some questions that you might ask when you are deciding whether you want to visit a particular provider:
- How much experience do they have in treating your particular subtype of ADHD? There are three subtypes of ADHD, and different treatment approaches may be more effective for each one.
- What type of mental health professional would you prefer? Counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and even ADHD coaches may be able to help you. The biggest advantage of visiting a psychiatrist is that they can prescribe medication in addition to offering other types of therapy.
- Will treatment be practical for your lifestyle? If there are no ADHD treatment providers within easy driving distance of your home, you might have to look at telehealth options. You should also consider insurance acceptance and payment methods to make sure that your care will be financially accessible for you.
Find a Good Personality Fit
It is important that you feel comfortable with the person (or people) who will be providing your ADHD treatment. After all, mental health disorders can be delicate, and the last thing you want is for your care to be a source of stress rather than relief. It is okay to visit a provider for a few sessions with the goal of establishing trust and building the foundation of a long-term relationship. If you do not seem to “click,” it is okay to start seeking care from another source.
Finding the right ADHD mental health professional for you can take a bit of time, but you will be glad you put forth the effort to get help!
Meet the Practice
At our convenient locations in Wall Township and Westfield, the Embrace Psychiatric Wellness team team is proud to feature psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. We offer a number of treatments for individuals who struggle with ADHD, including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical options. To learn how we may be able to serve you, contact us at 908-233-8065.
