This guide will walk you through the process of getting treated and diagnosed with ADHD in Berlin and the rest of Germany.
In this guide, I will cover:
- How to know if you have ADHD
- How to get diagnosed with ADHD in Germany
- How ADHD is treated in Germany
- How ADHD medication works
- How insurance companies cover ADHD in Germany
ADHD in a nutshell
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is also known as ADD, for Attention Deficit Disorder. In Germany, it is called ADHS, for Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung1. It's also called ADS, again for Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit.
Does the comic above resonate with you? How about this scene, or this TED Talk? Does your average day look like this? Does this list of symptoms hit a little too close to home? It could be ADHD.
Here are the main symptoms of ADHD:
- Having difficulty with staying focused on a task
- Getting sidetracked from tasks unless they are especially interesting to you
- Spacing out when listening to someone
You can find a complete list of ADHD symptoms here.
How to get diagnosed with ADHD in Germany
Getting diagnosed is simple: visit a psychiatrist, tell them about the issues you are facing, and see where it takes you. You must visit a psychiatrist, not a psychologist or a psychotherapist. Only a psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication for it1.
Pick a doctor that is supported by your health insurance company. If you get a diagnosis from a private practice, public health insurance companies will not pay for your medication.
The diagnosis appointment is simple: you will be given a short test that looks a lot like this one. Your psychiatrist will ask more questions to establish whether you have ADHD, and whether it has a significant impact on your life. This will normally take one or two appointments.
How ADHD is treated in Germany
Week 0: Diagnosis
During your first appointment, your psychiatrist will see if ADHD has a significant negative impact on your life. ADHD medication will only be prescribed if it's necessary.
If your psychiatrists thinks that medication is necessary, a nurse will take a blood sample and measure your blood pressure. This is to ensure the medication is safe for you.
Week 1: Introduction to medication
During the first appointment after the diagnosis, your doctor will look at the result of your blood test. If everything is normal, you will be prescribed a very small dose of ADHD medicine, usually 5 to 10mg of Medikinet or Ritalin. Your psychiatrist will teach you how to take the medicine and explain its side effects to you.
You will receive a prescription slip, which you can bring to any Apotheke. The medication will cost you 5€. The rest is paid by your health insurance.
You should not feel a big difference yet. 5 to 10mg is a very small dose of Medikinet or Ritalin. You might experience nausea and and upset stomach while your body adjusts to the medication. It will feel like a mild hangover that lasts for a few hours. If you don't feel any improvement yet, don't panic! It's normal.
This is normal in the beginning, but make sure you tell your psychiatrist about everything you experience.
Week 3: Adjustments
During your second appointment, your psychiatrist will ask your feedback about the medication. Your feedback is essential if you want to receive the best treatment. If you don't experience any serious side effects, he or she will increase your dose and schedule another appointment in two weeks. A nurse will take your blood pressure again.
You might start to feel a slight improvement at this point. It might become easier to pay attention in lectures or meetings, and boring tasks might become less difficult once you get started.
Weeks 5, 7, 9…: Titration
During the following appointments, your psychiatrist will progressively increase the dose of your medication based on your feedback. This process is called titration. If you want to get the best possible treatment, report any effect or side effect to your psychiatrist.
There is a chance Medikinet might not be the right medication for you. If you think this is the case, tell your psychiatrist about it. Other types of ADHD medication are covered by insurance companies if Medikinet is not working for you.
German insurance companies and ADHD
Since 2011, adult ADHD is officially recognized and covered by German insurance companies, for adults and for children. You will only pay 5€ per prescription, a prescription fee every German has to pay. Your health insurance company pays for the rest.