___ Two years ago, I went to see a psychiatrist for an ADHD assessment. Did some questionnaires, as did my mum, and after a half an hour telehealth consultation, I was told I have ADHD. The report I was given by this psychiatrist was riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes, and claimed things like I have binge eating disorder and insomnia, when I don’t have either of those things. The directions for medications were vague, and the GP I went to had trouble following what was written. This GP isn’t thorough himself, writing me a mental health care plan with also lots of mistakes, and one that said I was going to see a psychologist because of three types of insomnia that you can’t have all at once. But to avoid paying $60 out of pocket to see the more thorough GP up the road, I didn’t really have a choice. Besides, that GP said, “Really?!! We would’ve picked that up when you were younger,” when I said I thought I had ADHD. So today, the GP asked me if I really needed medication. I tell him that’s his job to determine, but I have always struggled to stay afloat doing pretty much anything, and it’s made my life hell. He then asked me if I wanted to try a different medication, so he can change the permit to allow him to prescribe it. I told him I didn’t want to try a long-acting medication again, because I couldn’t sleep. He then tells me that he can’t change the permit to let me have something else, and the report is shit, and I should see a psychiatrist again. $900 out of pocket to see the first psychiatrist, probably a couple of hundred to try medication for depression and ADHD, lots of learned helplessness and valuable time lost… and now even more money down the drain. The price gouging is insane, exploiting people who are struggling and in need of answers. I’ve also heard of people who got a diagnosis, and somehow they’ve missed bipolar disorder when taking their hx, and oop, they’ve ended up with stimulant-induced psychosis. I went to the optometrist last year, who said I have a focusing problem with my eyes. Maybe that’s what it’s been this whole time. It just makes me wonder if I should even bother trying meds, or if I should just give up. But I cannot keep maintaining the status quo, or I will be giving up on life.