Jeffrey M. Watabe, MD

I was a hospital, inpatient, patient. So the appointment and promptness did not really apply. When he saw me he was always open to questions. He had his review questions, but it was hard for me to get a read on him, how interested he felt, how much he wanted to pursue. It was a little hard to trust because he was not my regular treatment provider. But, he was very direct. His treatment was matter of fact, he treated me like an intelligent person, someone who did not need to be talked down to.

I went to Dr. Watabe after starting therapy, at the age of 30, while going through a divorce. My therapist thinks I have ADHD. I was oblivious to the idea until she started telling me the symptoms and showing me things in my own life and behavior that matched up. It really made sense and it was relieving to know that there was a reason why I struggle more than other people in some situations, I always did poorly in school but I don't seem un-intelligent. I have trouble focusing, I'm 30, and going on my second divorce. I went to Dr. Watabe in hopes of getting medication for ADHD so that I could concentrate while perfoming important tasks, driving, for example. I also would like to go back to school and I'm afraid that I will face the same problems and be unsuccessful. I was hoping medication would help me be successful in school. In the past I had used illegal drugs recreationally, I told Dr. Watabe this, as now I like to live a life of integrity, I did before too, I never stole… from people or did mean or hurtful things, I was just a party girl. Dr. Watabe told me that he felt I was depressed with anxiety, not ADHD. It was a hard pill to swallow, no pun intended, to think that I had problems my whole life and that they all stem from anxiety and depression. Especially because based on the circumstances I don't really feel sad at all, I don't even have time to feel sad, and most of my day is pretty joyful. When I told my therapist she agreed that I had symptoms of depression, and that given the circumstances, going through a divorce, that it was normal. She also felt that I was dealing with the feelings of sadness without medication, by going to the gym regularly, getting out and doing healthy activities with friends and family. My mild case of depression was also not effecting my job. My ADHD still was. In our 2nd visit, he told me, again, that he felt I didn't have ADHD. I asked him if he thought I had a learning disability, he said maybe but that it would take a lot of testing, I said I didn't mind testing and was willing to do it but he didn't feel it would be helpful. I then asked if he thought I may have some other sort of chemical imbalance, he said maybe but didn't seem too interested in exploring it. On the first visit he had prescribed an anti-depressant and then on the second visit, because the first anti-depressant didn't work he prescribed another one. He said he didn't want to prescribe an ADHD drug because most of them are stimulants and can be habit forming. I understand that, but there are some non-stimulant/non-habit-forming drugs for ADHD, however he refuses to let me try those either, his persistance to treat me as though I will always be a druggy is frustrating but understanding. BUT I'M NOT DEPRESSED! I feel like it is a slippery slope though, if I keep going to this Doctor who is extremely judgemental, punishes me for my honesty, and dismisses my symptoms, I think I coud become depressed really easily. In conclusion, I feel Dr. Watabe doesn't know what's wrong with me and doesn't have any interest in finding out.