Experience dealing with ADHD/ADD in CH?

Family, Education, Health and Pets
101
Here is a report on neurofeedback

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/12/107

102
My cousin who recently moved to in Geneva thinks she may have ADHD. Is it genetic as her father may also have had it but was not diagnosed as it was not recognised at the time in adults. She does not speak any French and we were wondering if you could recommend any doctors, clinics or psychiatrists who specialise in ADHD in adults in Geneva?

103
Hi

Attentional problems can be a result of many issues such as a hit on the head, asthma, diet etc.

You do not have to take meds for ADD. I have helped many people the past 19 years with neurofeedback. I also do QEEG which is brain mapping to see how the brain functions.

I checked on the web for neurofeedback and found this link.You can check the web for others.

http://www.neurofeedback-romandie.ch...rofeedback.php

John Styffe

www.self-sustainability.ch

104
This is quite a long thread and I don't want to reopen the endless is-it-or-isn't-it-real discussion, just one simple question.

People say the IV / health insurance will not pay for a ADD/ADHD type treatments if started / diagnosed after the age of nine.

Is there any basis for that in law (or insurance contracts)?

Has anyone challenged it?

I struggle to see how they can put an age limit on contracting or being diagnosed with a problem. Particularly as it is well known to present differently (for example, it frequently improves in boys at puberty, and gets worse in girls).

105
My understanding is that they will not pay for all treatments in adults. For example, they won't pay for my ritalin, but would pay for concerta (which I can't take). For me, not an issue as i don't take a lot. I was dx'd in my 50's. You are absolutely right about the presentation. I would suggest you discuss this with your insurance, and possibly a physician treating Add/adhd. It is rather stupid.

Maybe the psychiatry dept at uni zrh to start?

106
Thanks - we have spoken to a psychologist, who also said that they don't pay.

Personally I think this is particularly stupid - it seems they'll pay for drugs, which help create a better state of mind, but not for psychological training which is a longer term solution and is feasible now some level of calm and focus has been achieved.

I guess I can appeal to the ombudsman, but I'd like to have some idea where this "rule" comes from before doing so.

107
I was diagnosed with ADHD in Switzerland as an adult, and take Ritalin for it.

The diagnosis was done with a Psychologist who works together with a Psychiatrist, so all the appointments were paid for by the health insurance (minus the normal deductible and co-pay, of course).

After the diagnosis we decided to try medication, and they said that Ritalin is not covered by health insurance. Concerta, on the other hand, is - at least according to him.

We decided to try Ritalin first, as it's not a delayed release - so it's much easier to see if it actually helps, since you feel a "stronger" effect with a peak instead of a slower release throughout the day.

It worked beautifully, and then the question was whether to move to Concerta or stay with Ritalin.

Ritalin was working well for me, so I decided to stay with it even though health insurance doesn't pay. If you have complementary health insurance, do check the conditions - so pay for part of medication not covered by basic health insurance.

I don't know what would have happened if I switched to Concerta - in particular, I don't know if the health insurance company would have refused to pay.