Choosing a Psychiatrist to Diagnose Adult ADD

As someone in the health field, the importance of the therapeutic match cannot be emphasized strongly enough. This goes double for mental health professionals. If you don't like or trust them, move on. As for GammaG comments, while partially true, are mostly wrong. The psychiatrist is the head of the mental health team, should be fully aware of all testing that has happened and should confirm these results by their own assessment. But the bottom line is, if you don't feel comfortable after 3 visits, move on.

I know seeing a psychiatrist is a sensitive issue and it's not the easiest thing to just ask around to other people, "Hey, do you have a good psychiatrist you can recommend?"
But...
1) Paying $400 an hour for a doc you don't really even like or get a good gut feeling about is insane. This is a price you would pay to see the best of the best at UCLA or something.
2) The wrong psychiatrist can seriously mess you up for life. So many of them hand out meds like candy, and these are very serious mind altering drugs. I am speaking from experience, and have been thru the worst experiences you can imagine with this. I have an anxiety disorder which at one point was misdiagnosed as bipolar (no idea how they came to that false conclusion as I have NONE of the classic signs, never had a manic episode, nothing). Those drugs for that are hardcore and I almost died when they put me on a cocktail of 4 different drugs at once. Had I known then what I know now, I should have run as far away as possible from 2 of the first 3 docs I saw.
Now ADD is a bit tamer, but the drugs really are not. You have to be very careful with those too. They still are mind altering drugs and the wrong one and the wrong, albeit well meaning doc can be a really big deal and mess you up really bad.
In fact, unless your ADD is seriously compromising your ability to function, I would think twice about using meds. Cognitive behavioral therapy might be much more effective and harmless.

So with all that in mind, I would seriously consider trying to get some other referrals from people who have "been there, done that". Don't trust just one doc or therapist to refer you. You want the best, especially if you are willing and able to pay $400 an hour. You can have the best with that kind of money.

It says you are in Thousand Oaks. Might I recommend a psychiatrist that literally saved my life, when the other docs almost killed me?
Her name is Dr. Vanessa Hernandez. She practices in Manhattan Beach, which isn't ridiculously far for you. Her phone number is ###-###-####. Also, you might try UCLA. They have some very good docs.

Lastly, I'm not sure where exactly she practices, but someone I used to know is a child therapist, and she used to be in Thousand Oaks. Her name is Mara Bruckner. Google her name and I'm sure her contact info will pop up.

Go to Dr. EK. It is SO SO important to have someone whose opinion you respect and trust. You concerns seem valid, and your instincts are important too. He should NOT just be handing you or your son a prescription. He should be evaluating you, informing you of your medication choices, informing you of possible side effects, and then monitoring you for these side effects, or for any returning or worsening symptoms. The effectiveness of some ADD meds can wear off over time and needs are continually changing based on body changes and lifestyle changes. You should find the best of the best to give these meds to you, and to your son. Don't settle for less, just because it was a referral. You will always be annoyed when/if you can't reach him when needed, and will be second-guessing everything he says/does. This is very likely going to be a long term relationship. You have the chance to make it with a GOOD doctor who you LIKE and TRUST.

I would give anything to be able to continue to see the psychiatrist that 'provided my prescriptions' for ADD when I was a kid. He was a genius, and very respected in his field. I didn't find out until just recently how hard my parents worked to find him (the best) and get me in to see him, and I really appreciate it. (Since he only treats kids, I am out of luck, and I haven't found anyone I like since. and it DOES make a difference!).

Once you find the perfect DR for you (it should be a search! It HAS to be the right fit!!) and you feel the new DR is better, I strongly disagree that you should keep your son with the old one just for the sake of consistency. Why would you settle for consistent BAD care? You are your son's advocate. Get him the best, and don't settle for less.

Psychiatrist do not want to hear you talk and talk and talk. They are a tool to get a prescription. Your psychologist is the one that should do all the listening and tell you what to say to the psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist is not certified to diagnose these illnesses, although they could if they wanted to since they are a medical doc too but they primarily ONLY just see you for 5 minutes to give you a prescription. That's all they are for.

A psychologist that does the testing, evaluations, recommendations, etc....is the one you need to discuss ALL issues with. They are the one who SHOULD do all the diagnosing. That's why you may end up seeing a psychologist that only does eval's then set up an appointment with a psychologist for therapy or other stuff separately.

To make short work of it:

Psychiatrist:

Doctor who gives you a medication prescription that is the one you tell if you notice any side effects or other medical issues ONLY relating to how the medication is working. They are for nothing else.

Evaluation Psychologist:

A person who is certified to "diagnose" a mental illness or other mental issue after testing or evaluations. They are usually so fully booked doing nothing but this they don't have time to do therapy and see a regular patient. It can happen though. There may be enough diagnosticians in your area that they have enough time to actually see patients on a weekly basis.

Psychologist, LPC, Therapist, Social Worker, Counselor, etc...:

Are people who have a college degree that is accepted by your insurance to receive 2nd party payments (a check from your insurance) for services provided such as continuing therapy or counseling. They are the person who will sit and listen to you for the whole hour talking about how the med isn't working or how it is making a difference. They are the people who are paid to listen to whatever you need to talk about.
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The others listed above have a quick job to do for you then they move on to the other person who's appointment is in 5 minutes.
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From everything that you said you should be seeing the psychiatrist for a 5 minute appointment for a prescription. Then either making an appointment with an evaluation psychologist for testing and getting a formal diagnosis or making an appointment with a psychologist for regular therapy so you can have someone to discuss all that is going on with the meds, behaviors, etc.....

EACH field in psychology/psychiatry has their own job. You are trying to cross them all up and use the wrong ones for your purposes.

If you don't like any doctor, switch. A doctor not listening to you is a huge problem.

My only concern about Dr. EK is, if he's been practicing for 43 years, is he close to retirement? Will you have to switch again in a year or two? You can ask this doctor up front - you are looking for continuity. Since he has a good phone manner and listening skills, and a lot of experience, he's not going to be offended. One good thing about a doctor in practice for a long time is that his/her experience may pre-date all these meds, and he/she may have other techniques besides just meds.

Your husband is wrong - you don't just need a prescription. You pay that money to get the full range of experience and expertise.

Dr. EK! That psychiatrist sounds like a mess. He didn't even conduct an assessment to determine if it was ADHD? That's his JOB! Crazy. It should never be that quick and simple. You should be able to reach him when you need to and he should be pleasant. He's none of this, so drop him now!

ADHD isn't something to be taken lightly and you need to make sure care is being managed by someone knowledgeable and compassionate. Definitely move on to the doctor who gives you more confidence.

How frustrating for you! With ADHD, and most conditions like this, meds often need to be adjusted. If your doc isn't really listening to you, how can he hear when and why the meds may not be working their best? If it were me, I would go with a doc who gives a rip and I feel confident would make adjustments when necessary, and know us well enough to know when that is appropriate! It's not like getting antibiotics for an ear infection, there needs to be tweaking (most of the time). You need the better doc.

Follow your gut and change ASAP.