can a PCP diagnose and treat Adult ADD? | ADHD Information

PCP = primary care physician?

That woul ddepend upon the physician and weather or not he/she feels comfortable diagnosing adult ADD - while some family doctors feel comfortable doing this others do not -  

I've read so many posts where posters talk about seeing a psychiatrist to treat their ADD. Is this necessary? Can my regular doc diagnose and treat my symptoms? I realize a PCP may not be as well informed as a specialist but does that make much difference? I really don't want to go thru the hassle of finding and explaining everything to a new doc.

I take Lexapro now for anxiety but am interested in trying something specifically for ADD. I've done some research over the years and have always felt deep down that I have ADD (especially looking back on my childhood) but chose to focus on the anxiety issue. That's what concerned me the most. I didn't realize that anxiety was also a symptom of ADD. I've got so many ADD symptoms and all this time I thought it stemmed from the anxiety. Lexapro has helped but it's not enough. I know that now. It's like a lightbulb just went off. It's helped so much reading this message board. Thanks!

Psychiatrists are experts in the field of diagnosing and treating these disorders through med management. Finding the right med and dose requires a Psychiatrist  who is highly skilled and/or educated on the subject. If I had a heart condition I wouldn't be treated by my PCP but rather a cardiologist I'n any event, anxiety can be a symptom of many things, including OCD as OCD is a severe anxiety disorder or it could also a generalized anxiety disorder but what I recommend is that you get a formal diagnosis to rule ADHD in or out as anxiety can also develop as a result of untreated ADHD. Good luck.