Finding a Medical Doctor

[Susieqt47]

Does anyone have any tips on how to find a medical doctor that REALLY understands depression, adhd, etc.
as a medical disease.  I always swear I'm not going to tell them but I always do.  I have both Bipolar and ADHD
and take meds for both.  Over the years I have neglected my physical health because I know what I am going to hear.

I moved here 4 years ago and finally picked a doc and went Monday of last weeks because I was have some scary
symptoms of something.  She seemed really thorough and I really liked her.  She wanted to me to get lab work, etc and come back the next Mon.  By 4:00 am I was on way to hospital in ambulance.  I had a bleeding ulcer and nearly died.  Even had a transfusion.  And those weren't even the symptoms I was worried about.  And that wasn't the doc's fault either.  Upon discharge one of the things was to stop taking my ADD meds.  I ask if there was something else I should take because I DO have ADD.  They had no idea.  

The day after I came home I called my my doc's office and they still wanted me to come in because they could order the records from hospital that would have most of the lab work I should have anyway.  When I got there all the hospital had sent was discharge papers.   I was in a lot of pain with a migraine.  I realize paid meds are hard on your stomach but there are some out there.  She said until she got the rest of paperwork from hosp and records  from my last doc so she writes me a perp for caffine tabs!.  Talk about hard on the stomach.  Plus, I was very honest when I filled out my new patitent paperwork and listed all meds I took.  I resent that fact the my work isn't good enough.  It seems like once I mention the work depression that is the cause of everything.

Any ideas what ask when looking for a new doctor?

Susieqt47

[monkeyc]

The big problem is most GP's or Family Doctors have no real education on mental health outside of a few subjects at University, books and seminars - the majority are generally clueless about anything beyond basic unipolar depression, ADHD / ADD (and even then just because they can prescribe Ritalin for it) and the most general conditions - Most of them reach for the Merck guide or another book when they need to find more and thats hardly sufficient.

What you as a patient need to do is always act as an informed consumer - you need to know all of your meds,. what the interactions are and side effects and what possible risks drugs can have.  When I go to my GP (who is actually pretty good) I always insist onthem cross checking the MIMS database (Aussie drug database) against Lithium and Avanza and other drugs I take to avoid nasty suprises.  They still happen.

Most doctors do not doubt mania they just would not know it if it ran them down in the street - though what on earth they thought caffiene tablets were going to do to help you I dont know let alone after an ulcer bleed.  Good god.  Find another doctor.  Thats dangerous.

As to finding a good doctor - Its hard and I had to try a number to get a good one but hang in there.

[LetaB]

  I identify with so much of what you write here but I'm a little confused. I sure don't understand what the prescription for caffeine tablets (which you can get over the counter.) was good for. Are you seeing a psychologistas well? What are you taking to treat your ADD? I myself am bipolar and ADD - there's no reason one would cancel out another as you know.
  As for the rest - I don't get the reason your doctor doubts the eveidence you give him; do they think you're delusional? A hypochondriac? Manic?
  It may be that I'm dense (I can be) but would you please clarify things a little?