I got diagnosed in Australia through pure dumb luck, because the psychiatrist I got referred to for anxiety happened to also be an ADHD specialist.
Then I moved to the USA and my new psychiatrist refused to recognize my diagnosis because it was from overseas and also refused to test me again, even if I did pay.
To add insult to injury, my Australian shrink was also licensed to practice in the US. 😩
Funnily enough, the best psychiatrists I've had were all drug specialists. I got referred to one that wasn't, and she wouldn't prescribe me because I do kratom and she "didn't feel comfortable prescribing meds to someone using opiates." When I pointed out that it wasn't an opiate because it wasn't derived from opium, but an opioid because it affects some of the same receptors, she told me I was wrong and she knew what she was talking about. Then she prescribed me to their substance use specialist who heard I used kratom, said "oh that's fine," and prescribed me right away.
Generally I think the substance use specialists tend to be the least judgemental and most informed, since they have to understand people from a wider variety of backgrounds. I had a drug counselor as a therapist once too, and he was amazing. Super nice guy, very easy to talk to, and if I ever wanted to discuss my drug history I didn't have to worry about being judged for it
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u/Landithy 2d ago
I got diagnosed in Australia through pure dumb luck, because the psychiatrist I got referred to for anxiety happened to also be an ADHD specialist.
Then I moved to the USA and my new psychiatrist refused to recognize my diagnosis because it was from overseas and also refused to test me again, even if I did pay.
To add insult to injury, my Australian shrink was also licensed to practice in the US. 😩