This month I have talked a lot about becoming a partner with your doctor in your health care. In order to receive the best medical care, it is essential for you to be aware of your condition and to follow through on instructions, but your doctor also must treat you with respect and be willing to listen. Without mutual respect, you won't get the best care you can.

I am not saying to quickly "jump ship" for any little problem, but to assess the situation and decide whether, for you, a change would provide you with better care. Remember, the better the fit between you and your doctor, the better your chances of managing ADHD in your life. While this article was written with ADHD in mind, it certainly is true with all chronic conditions. The following are 10 reasons that you may consider searching for a new doctor.

1) You Feel Uncomfortable Asking Questions

Let's face it, one of the reasons you go to the doctor is to find answers to your questions. You look to your doctor to be an "expert," someone who is knowledgeable about  your condition. But some doctors discourage or never seem to have the time to answer your questions. Many doctors set aside the last few minutes of your appointment to answer any questions you have and some will stop throughout the exam to find out if you have any questions. But others dismiss your questions with a brief "yes" or "no" or let you know, "that's not important." If you don't feel comfortable asking questions, it may be time to look for a doctor that welcomes your questions because they believe an informed patient is the best type of patient.

2) Your Doctor Never Seems to Know Your History

Whether you are going to the doctor for a medication check or need to discuss a certain issue, you expect your doctor to know your history. It is impossible for doctors to remember each patient, but your chart should provide your doctor with enough information to remember your previous visit and your history of dealing with ADHD symptoms. If you seem to start at the beginning of your story at every visit, or feel like you need to continually repeat what was discussed at the prior visit, you may want to find a doctor who keeps better notes and can more easily track your progress and help you create a plan of action for the future.

3) Your Treatment Isn't Working

You may have been going to the doctor for several years but you feel like you are still dealing with the same issues you were when you started. Your treatment doesn't seem to be working and yet your doctor hasn't changed anything and hasn't suggested any new ideas for managing symptoms. Even if you suggest that you don't feel your medication or therapy is working, the doctor insists you need to keep working at it. You might stay because you feel guilty or because you feel it is your fault that you can't manage your symptoms. If you haven't seen any improvements in your life because ADHD symptoms are still getting in the way and your doctor hasn't come up with any different ideas, it may be time to look for someone who is willing to find different avenues of treatment.