Obviously I know the difference between the two but in my honest opinion I have always hated psychiatrists. This is due to a personal encounter I had with one in 1994 before I was diagnosed with A.D.D. (which was July 2008). I was going through a very bad time and was sent to see a psychiatrist who was supposed to spend 55 minutes with me. Instead, he spent 5 minutes with me and wrote me out a prescription for Haloperidol/Serenance, an antipsychotic medication that is primary prescribed to people who suffer from schizophrenia, an illness I do not have. I was prescribed 2 x 5mg tablets twice per day, and the side effects were the most awful I have ever experienced, experiencing what my current dr calls 'feeling zombie like'. I couldn't put this better. My dr. also told me that the psychiatrist who prescribed this medication to me had no right to do so, mainly because he was a junior psychiatrist and also because there wasn't a fully qualified psychiatrist with him who should have been acting as a mentor (if you see what I mean). At the time I took myself off the medication as I felt it was doing me more harm than good.

In the UK we have, and I'm sure you do in the US, Clinical Psychologists who are able to prescribe medication when required. To me, the word 'psychologist' is less harmful to me than the word psychiatrist, so I would look for a good well known and respected clinical psychologist. I do not know how this works in the US in if you can 'pick and choose' who you see, but in the UK, as we have the NHS (National Health Service) patients names are put onto a waiting list until one is available as a lot of people cannot afford to pay to see one privately.

Of course, this is entirely up to you, but as this is your health that is being discussed here then I think and feel that time is required to find the best one, whichever you decide, that will be ideal for you as what is good for one person will not be for another.

I hope I have helped a little bit, and good luck with your search.

With blessings. Charlotte.

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A psychiatrist is the physician with the most experience with ADHD and medications to treat ADHD. However, just because you see a psychiatrist, doesn't mean they are your best bet. You might want to ask around or search the ADDitude Directory for recommendations.

You might also find these articles about finding an ADHD professional helpful:

When to Fire Your Doctor

Finding a Doctor or Therapist Who Works for You

I hope this helps. Dena

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Psychiatrists tend to be very busy. Also, psychologist are knowledgeable about medications. I think the real benefit, though, is that by virtue of having more time to spend with you, the psychologist can work with you on cognitive-behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes that would support any medication you end up taking.

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