Can a family doctor prescribe adderal?

[Xmaster]

I was just wondering if a family doctor can prescribe adderal. Id rather get it from a family doctor rather a psychiatrist because a family doctor is cheaper to see, and my insurance company doesnt really cover mental health problems like seeing a psychiatrist.
Adderall is Not some party drug, at least not to me. I want it tio help me concentrat better.
Thanks

 

[TDK2FE]

To my knowledge, yes your doctor can prescribe to you just about anything he wants. He might now, however, for fear of getting some sort of citation or whatnot (maybe from prescribing something out of his league?). I know plenty of people who have gotten things like ritalin from their normal doctors, without having to see a psychiatrist. Just pay him a visit, let him know what your problems are (you said you are trying to get this legitimately), and he'll either refer you somewhere or start you off with something.
If i'm wrong, please let me know...

 

[Good Corruption]

most likely this is how it works...
you go to your family doctor and tell him you have ADD...he says "ok, i'll start you off on a low dose of ritalin and refer you to a psychiatrist"...family doctors are not qualified to diagnose ADD or any other "mental disorders" so they'll send you to a psychiatrist to evaluate the appropriate medication for your condition...
this is what my doctor did to me...i left his office that day with 15 days (30 pills) worth of 10mg ritalin under the condition that he would not refill my prescription until i saw the psychiatrist...so i schedule an appointment with the mental health department and i go expecting to see a psychiatrist...instead i see a therapist first who asked me some questions...kinda like a "prediagnoses"...after the session with the therapist i was able to schedule an appointment with the psychiatrist...the therapist also authorized a refill of my ritalin since i was out...this time my doctor gave me 50 days (100 pills) worth...
if yer lucky and say the right words...the psychiatrist might bump yer script up to adderall...if not...the psych may keep you on the ritalin or even worse...stick you with an SSRI...
good luck...

 

[Diffidence]

It really depends on how familiar your family doctor is with ADD. If he deals with a lot of children, especially in a rich neighborhood, he's probably written quite a few ritalin scripts for the locals.
Soccer moms with underperforming children are quick to blame ADD when report cards come out. If your doctor isn't really familiar with how the condition works he won't feel comfortable diagnosing you.
Personally, my doc is comfortable prescribing ADD meds, but is somewhat hesitant in doing so. YMMV.

 

[AbraMontague]

If you invest a little time reading books/reliable information on ADD (I am assuming you aren't a complete idiot who still reads Clifford books), you can walk into a psychiatrist's office, paint a good Christian, DRUG FREE (except for an occasional beer if you aren't a teenager) picture, and know exactly what and how many symptoms to describe (with examples), what not to describe and deny if asked about (comorbid disorders like Depression). And you will probably get a stimulant. If you don't, then you can assume it is something YOU said or didn't say, if this is a psych and not a plain doctor. Physician's are a little tricker though and your best bet will be a good family doctor who knows only the good side of you. Even then, it is really hit or miss as most doctors know very little about ADD and treating it. What they mainly know is that it is controversial and often don't feel comfortable treating you, not necessarily because they think you will abuse your medicine.

 

[PhreeX]

I think everyone else did a great job of answering the question.. in my experience, you will just get refered to a psychitrist, given that medications like Ritalin and Adderall are for long-term use, it's not something you want to prescribe a patient unless you're certin it's the best route to take..
If you go to your PCP and say you have already been diagnosed then they might continue, hell, from time to time they might even up your dose, but they wont make the diagnosis..