Can anyone help me.....My son is 20 years old and suffering from depression and adult ADD. I think it's time to try medication. He has always struggled with the ADD and now as an adult is suffering from depression. We live in a town in West Texas that has only on Psychiatrist. I went to the office and it was just awful looking and the staff seemed very unprofessional. Can I just go through a Family Practioner or do you think driving to a larger city (Fort Worth) which is about 2 hours to find a Phychiatrist is the way to go? Our son has said that he is feeling suicidal....although I think he is using that as a way to manipulate us. We have had some problems with him keeping jobs ect....and have told him he will have to move out unless he has a full time job.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Oars

A psychiatrist is also an MD and can prescribe. And prescribe they do!! Your son needs to get to the root(s) of his problem(s) and drugs will just be a band-aid. Of course it may be just what he needs in the short-term if he does indeed have suicidal ideations. What I did was see a psychiatrist for my meds and a therapist for everything else. The therapist I was seeing was in the shrink's practice so that was the optimal situation. The shrink could keep tabs on my progress with the therapist and adjust meds as needed.

if you are not comfortable with the state of your local shrinks office and support staff, then yes you need to keep looking. Does your local hospital have a mental health department? If your son is truly suicidal, then perhaps he needs to be admitted. And if he's only using suicide threats as manipulation, then he will surely NOT want to be admitted.

Good luck! This is a very trying situation.

I really feel for you as my family has also struggled with a family member that had ADD & depression. The good news is that my son has responded well to medication-2nd one we tried. We are in a state that has numerous mental health professionals to chose from-sometimes the trick is to find the right one.

If you have any indication that your son is truly suicidal, take him to the hospital for immediate treatment. I would start with the family practioner for a referral to a psychiatrist. If that doesn't pan out, I know there is a hospital in the Fort Worth area called Millwood Hospital that deals with psychiatric issues. They may be able to give you the name of a psychiatrist that works with young adults. Just my opinion, but I wanted someone well-versed with ADD & depression.

Wishing you luck with this. I know how hard this can be.

Oars,

I just checked Millwood Hospital's site & they are located on N. Cooper Street in Arlington. Also, noticed they have a rapid intake/rapid assessment
service if you believe that he can't wait to be seen. Good luck.

Thanks gevalia.....I'm familar with that area. Did you use this place or just know of it.

My stepdaughter was admitted there a few years ago for treatment. She had been diagnosed prior to admission with depression but in actuality she had undiagnosed bipolar. She was feeling very low upon admission and I don't recall how long her stay was but I am thinking maybe a week or so. Once they got her medication straightened out, she was released & continued with outpatient therapy. She is doing well now and has not needed any further hospitalization.