Ritalin

Hello...I live in Ontario Canada.. Noe sure if anyone on here is familiar with medical protocol. I have a 24 year old son.. Was diagnosed with CAPD years ago. His mother and I were divorced when he was 2. He did the week about until he was 19... His mom moved away and he has been with me ever since. Graduated college 2 years ago with a diploma in business. Now while living with me his true colors have become so apparent.. His lack of focus... his forgetfulness....Leaving things lying around. Putting the cucumber back in the cheese tray in the fridge. Forgetting deodorant. I know it doesnt sound like much.. But it is constant. Went away for a few days R&R last week..He came down for a swim in his suit and socks.... Has never bought any clothes in his life.. I have to remind him to trim his beard,......cut his hair... trim his toe nails... It is endless.. Now about 10 years ago he was put on Ritalin for apparent ADD not ADHD... didnt stay on it cause he didnt like the effects.. 10 years later .. this lack of focus.. inattention and overall not caring is effecting him socially and at work... When I went to our family physician, I was told he would need to take a $2500 psychological assessment before she could prescribe anything for him. Now she has no problem prescribing 10 years ago and we dont have $2500. Does anyone know if that is legit,,, needing one to be prescribed. Or maybe we should switch doctors.

Don't tell me OHIP is paying for fertility treatments but they won't cover a medical/mental problem in a child/adult already born?

Contact Ohip or the College of Medicine and find out what the deal is with this $2500 fee. Why can't she just refer you to a psychiatrist and go from there? Let the psychiatrist prescribe whatever it is he/she thinks your son needs. Frankly, it sounds suspect that she would be charging you that fee instead of referring him to a specialist.

She is referring me to a psychologist for an assessment... $2500....same psychologist that assessed him for CAPD 20 years ago...Makes me wonder

I don't know that I have a whole lot to add to the conversation, but it doesn't really surprise me. There is definitely a known gap in our health care systems when it comes to mental illness, particularly for young and working age adults. It's outrageous (and the reason it's usually part of election talk). To be honest, of the people that I know who have managed to get help, it's been through one of three avenues (although maybe there is more):

- through the criminal justice system (i.e.: getting arrested for something which is usually a result of the illness and getting help via the courts, etc)

- through the hospital/emergency care (i.e.: having a complete meltdown and having to be hospitalized)

- through group benefits from an employer

The only advice I could offer would be to go to another doctor and get a 2nd opinion/ask about alternatives.

Also - have you checked out the Bell Let's talk website? There are some resources there as well.

3 years ago we paid $2000 for a psycho educational assessment for our son . It sounds like a fair assessment price. I live in Ontario as well.

My son was prescribed all kinds of ADHD meds that did him absolutely no good and harm because he didn't have ADHD . He is autistic. Many mild autistics are misdiagnosed ADHD all the time. It's better to get an assessment then stuff in drugs that may not actually do him any good .

I live in Ontario too and think you should see another doctor. OHIP should be able to take care of this young man.