You’ve passed through school, established a career, perhaps even started a family – and somehow, each and every day feels like a race without an end. So you miss appointments, forget your keys, don’t complete projects on time, can’t remember why tasks are so overwhelming you end up lying awake at night wondering.
It feels like it does, and you’re not the only one. There are millions of adults who have ADHD, but haven’t been diagnosed with it or are undertreated – and many of them live in New Jersey right here.
This is for you, the adult who thinks something is going on, the adult who was diagnosed a long time ago, and anyone in between. So, what does it mean to have an ADHD psychiatrist in New Jersey and how can this person literally transform your life?
First, Let’s Talk About Adult ADHD (Because It’s Often Misunderstood)
The majority of people still imagine ADHD as a hyperactive little kid, who cannot still be in class. That’s just part of the bigger picture, though.
Adult ADHD can manifest differently. It can look like:
- Regularly putting off tasks that you actually want to do on a regular basis
- Hard time with employment or relationships
- Susceptibility to being upset and irritable about activities that are “too strong”
- A never-ending racing thought stream, a difficulty in relaxing the mind
- Losing memory of discussions right after they occur
- Despite my best efforts, I feel lazy
For decades many adults with ADHD have been told to “try harder” or “get organized”. Some were diagnosed with anxiety or depression — which are real, but were treating the symptoms rather than the root cause.
The reality is that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the brain’s executive functioning. Don’t see it as some sort of character flaw. And it’s very treatable.
Why See a Psychiatrist Specifically for ADHD?
You may have thought to yourself: isn’t my regular doctor enough? Yes – this is true for some cases, where it might be possible to prescribe medication by a primary care physician. However, there’s a psychiatrist who brings a different set of skills.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors, people who specialize in mental health. A psychiatrist can: For ADHD, in particular:
- Lead and/or manage a comprehensive assessment
- Recognize ADHD and conditions that resemble it
- Administer medications accurately including dose adjustments and use of stimulant and non-stimulant
- Handle coexisting disorders – Adults with ADHD often have anxiety, depression, or substance use issues in addition to ADHD.
- Give continuous supervision and develop your treatment career along with your life
When your ADHD is complicated, undiagnosed or has multiple other mental health issues overlayed on it, there’s no one better to work with than your psychiatrist.
What to Expect When You First Reach Out in New Jersey
Making this first step may be quite overwhelming. Typically, the process will go like this:
1. The Initial Contact
After all, most psychiatrists in New Jersey will have an intake procedure, whether it be on the internet or on the phone. You will exchange some basic information regarding your concerns, your insurance and what is available. Be sure not to overthink this step. It is not necessary to know everything. Simply state that you are a grown-up who is concerned that he or she might have ADHD and desires to be evaluated.
2. The Evaluation Appointment
A thorough ADHD evaluation isn’t just a quick questionnaire. A comprehensive discussion with you about:
- Your current symptoms and how they affect your lives today
- Your childhood experiences, even if you never even were diagnosed
- Your family history
- Any previous mental health diagnoses and/or treatments
- Medical history and ongoing medications
Standardised rating scales or cognitive testing are also used by some psychiatrists. The point is not to check boxes out, but make a full picture.
3. Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
If it is determined that you have ADHD, your psychiatrist will help you make a plan. This could involve taking medication, referring them to a therapist who specializes in coaching for children with ADHD or CBT, lifestyle changes, and/or a combination of all three.
Understanding Your Treatment Options
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to ADHD treatment. Here’s a plain-language breakdown:
Medication
Often, medication is the first line of treatment and is effective for moderate to severe ADHD. There are two types:
Stimulants (such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, Concerta) – These are the most frequently-instructed and act by boosting dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. They act fast and effective for lots of individuals.
Non-stimulants (such as Wellbutrin, Intuniv and Strattera) – they are used when stimulants do not work well and for some people with substance abuse issues, or those who are very sensitive to the side effects of stimulants.
Your psychiatrist will be able to help you determine the type and dosage of medication. It may require a bit of trial and error, but don’t worry, it’s fine tuning, not failure.
Therapy
Therapy helps to change the patterns of thinking and behavior that have developed over years; medication treats the neurological part of ADHD. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is especially effective when tailored to the symptoms of ADHD. Another choice is to opt for ADHD coaching with attention to the more practical skills and accountability.
Lifestyle Support
There are many important ways to handle ADHD, including sleep, exercise, nutrition, and structure. A good psychiatrist will not simply prescribe medication to you; he will help you approach your thinking in a holistic manner.
Finding the Right ADHD Psychiatrist in New Jersey
New Jersey has a solid infrastructure of mental health providers; however, locating the right provider requires some effort.
Here are a few practical tips:
Before planting, review your insurance policy. In terms of mental health coverage, New Jersey insurance companies must pay coverage the same as for physical illness (as mandated by mental health parity regulations) although the coverage is not necessarily offered in-network. Call your insurance carrier and check for particular psychiatrists who treat adult ADHD.
Look for ADHD-specific experience. Not every psychiatrist is familiar with ADHD. Seek out providers that have a specialty for ADHD, especially in adults.
Consider telehealth. New Jersey has great telehealth Psychiatry options. Virtual appointments tend to be more convenient and easier to attend, which is significant for anyone with ADHD. There are services like Talkiatry, Cerebral, Done, and local NJ practices that provide telehealth ADHD care.
Read reviews – but don’t rely on them alone. You can get an idea of how a provider communicates and acts by reading a review. Keep in mind though that for one person it may be different to the next.
Trust your gut. A good psychiatrist will treat you as an intelligent adult and communicate with you in a manner that is clear and nonjudgmental. If the first appointment does not feel good, it’s fine to continue searching for another appointment.
The Cost Question: What Does It Actually Cost?
This is a real concern, and it deserves a real answer.
- With insurance: Your insurance plan’s copay may apply and could range from $0 to $150+ depending on the insurance plan. Follow-up appointments are typically shorter and cost less.
- Without insurance: Evaluations start at $300, but go up. There may be a charge of $150-$350 an hour for ongoing appointments.
- Sliding scale options: NJ community mental health centers with sliding scales offer sliding scales based on income. So if it is an affordability issue, just query – many providers will help if pressed.
- FQHC clinics: Federally qualified health centers (FQHC) in NJ offer psychiatric services at reduced cost for those who qualify.
Do not prevent yourself from seeking assistance due to its expense. Sometimes there are choices to be made; you just might need to advocate for yourself a bit.
A Note on the Wait Times in New Jersey
As in the rest of the U.S., psychiatric care in New Jersey has a problem with supply and demand. The wait time for seeing a new psychiatrist will vary by specialist, from a few days (for specialists using telehealth) to a number of months (for in-person specialists in high-demand regions like Middlesex or Bergen County).
Here’s how to navigate this:
- Begin with telehealth companies, since the wait is often shorter with these guys
- Request to be cancelled
- Get in touch with your PCP in the meantime – they may be able to help you get with medication while you wait
- Never cancel the appointment once it’s scheduled even if symptoms may seem manageable.
You Deserve Support – Not Just Survival
It’s a draining experience to have unmanaged ADHD. Over the years you may have learned some coping mechanisms. You’ve done as much as you can to seem normal. You have a lot of shame you don’t deserve in there that you’ve internalized.
It is not giving up; it’s simply getting a proper evaluation and treatment, thus the right tools for the way your brain works.
New Jersey is ready and has the qualified help available. The first thing to do is simply reaching out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult in New Jersey, even if I was never diagnosed as a child?
Absolutely. Adults often are first diagnosed with ADHD in their 30s, 40s or beyond. Adult diagnosis is legitimate and accepted.Adult diagnosis is acceptable, and common practice. Current symptoms are assessed and a psychiatrist will take full history into consideration, it is not necessary to have a childhood diagnosis.
Q: How do I know if I need a psychiatrist or a therapist for ADHD?
If you believe that medication may be required (which often is the case), you’ll need to see a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse specializing in prescribing (psychiatric nurse practitioner) – therapists are not qualified to prescribe medication. However, therapy can be beneficial along with medication. Many people use both of these.
Q: Will I have to take medication for ADHD?
No. Taking medication is an option, not mandatory. A few adults can cope successfully with their ADHD using therapy, coaching and planning their lifestyles so they are more structured. For moderate to severe ADHD, though, medication may be the best treatment. Your psychiatrist will discuss all of the options with you.
Q: Is adult ADHD covered by health insurance in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey’s mental health parity legislation mandates health plans treat mental health problems (including ADHD) on par with physical health problems. However, there are differences in coverage depending on the plan. Always check with your insurance company prior to your appointment.
Q: What’s the difference between ADHD and anxiety? Could I have both?
Restlessness, trouble concentrating and trouble sleeping are some common symptoms of ADHD that overlap with anxiety. However, they are triggered by different causes and may need different treatment. Very often, they occur together also. A psychiatrist can assess and differentiate between them as well as treat them both when necessary.
Q: How long does ADHD treatment take before I see results?
Medications for ADHD typically have an immediate effect, sometimes within days of finding the correct dose. Behavioral change and therapy is sometimes more time consuming, and may take weeks to months. People who are receiving treatment usually start to find some improvement within 1–3 months.
Q: Can I see an ADHD psychiatrist in New Jersey via telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth is fully supported in New Jersey for psychiatric care, ADHD evaluation and management. Some care providers deliver all of their services remotely, which may be beneficial for persons with ADHD who have trouble getting to a provider.