ADD: How do I go about???

[marshallmadman]

I am throughly convinced that I have ADD. Everyone around me has also come to the same conclusion. It is really crippling to me as far as work, and especially my family life.

How do I go about approaching this topic with my doctor? Will he prescribe medication on my diagnosis only, or will he refer me to a psychologist?

Anyone here have the same dilemma, or gone through this?

 

[Soulstealer]

Just tell your doc what you want... I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and never put on meds... recently i decided I wanted to try adderall so I told my doc thats what I wanted..... just describe the symptoms your having and tell him (or her) you want to give it a shot... Most GP's will prescribe...

 

[marshallmadman]

I appreciate your input. Thanks.

Just tell your doc what you want... I was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and never put on meds... recently i decided I wanted to try adderall so I told my doc thats what I wanted..... just describe the symptoms your having and tell him (or her) you want to give it a shot... Most GP's will prescribe...

 

[hotttsauce]

I am throughly convinced that I have ADD. Everyone around me has also come to the same conclusion. It is really crippling to me as far as work, and especially my family life.

How do I go about approaching this topic with my doctor? Will he prescribe medication on my diagnosis only, or will he refer me to a psychologist?

Anyone here have the same dilemma, or gone through this?

I have experience in this field and your best option is to first see your primary treating physician, going into detail about the issues your having.

Ask for a consult with a specialist who can administer tests, review daily activities, life style, etc.. to determine the level/severity (if this is even what the issue is). Too many providers simply prescribe med's without thoroughly researching the cause.

If ADD/ADHD is the case, then you will be able to see what pharmacological aids would be the best.

Know that it may take adjustments in your med's (up to 6 months or longer) to get you on the right prescription/mg's.

 

[dduong2]

hey brotha, I'm having the same issues... i mean in college i had problems paying attention, always drawing stuff in my notebook, and I could never ever finish reading, not even one book believe it or not! And in college, adderall is not hard to find at all so ive used that a few times an loved it. i went to my family doctor last year about this and about how I took adderall and it worked. He referred me a psychiatrist saying I could have adult ADD or ADHD. i didnt want to go through all that then, but now I am seriously considering it. Just talk to your doctor about whats goin on, he might prescribe you a low dosage of adderall or might refer you to a psychiatrist like my doctor did.. idk doctors are different i guess.. good luck bro

 

[dduong2]

I have experience in this field and your best option is to first see your primary treating physician, going into detail about the issues your having.

Ask for a consult with a specialist who can administer tests, review daily activities, life style, etc.. to determine the level/severity (if this is even what the issue is). Too many providers simply prescribe med's without thoroughly researching the cause.

If ADD/ADHD is the case, then you will be able to see what pharmacological aids would be the best.

Know that it may take adjustments in your med's (up to 6 months or longer) to get you on the right prescription/mg's.

nail on the head

 

[hotttsauce]

Fair warning ... Going to your family Doc and getting on 'just a medication' might mask the situation, but will not get to the root of the issue and in the long run is not the best direction. Everyday I see family practice physicians prescribing medications they have no idea about, just because it is status quo ..... quite frustrating actually.

Not trying to be a jerk but ....... Would you go to a family doc for a shoulder surgery, a knee replacement?

Any physician with an ounce of credibility will recommend a consult with a specialist, esp. if it is effecting you significantly.

 

[scrapper13]

i very much doubt that your general physician will prescribe adderall just based on your word...a few people i know have been prescribed this med and in order to get it they had to go for testing by a specialist. they have recently become much more careful when prescribing this drug because it has become popular for use as a recreational drug.

 

[HOTROCKS]

I've had it all my life I did adderall for a few years and it will make you feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.
I prefer Ritalin .
But a big portion of your ADD is learned behavior .
ADD is two sided.
One not being able to pay attention and the other is being Hyper Focused.
Locked in and not being able to cut a thought loose.
ADD is not always a bad thing.
Shit ! There are people and things that don't need a lot of attention even if they want it.

Learn to control your attition to thoses things you deem important.
And stay with it until the job gets done.
Learn to "let go" of the NOT so important thoughts.


I'll send you the bill in the mail !

Now ! Where was I ! LOL

 

[DrivingForward]

Speaking from experience:

Like one of the previous posters, I was diagnosed with ADD/ADHD at a very young age. My parents being the responsible people they are, declined to have me heavily medicated as a child. 20 years later, I was still suffering with the attention issues.

I went to see my physician, as some had suggested. Adderall (the most effective, least expensive, and frankly a wonder drug) is now a class 2 controlled substance. My General Practicioner would NOT prescribe it without seeing a psychiatrist. Many people will report similarly... while the GP could help you, he simply will not, wishing to defer the liability of writing a controlled substance to the Psychiatrist.

I went to the Psychiatrist who agreed that it needed to be treated, and Adderall has helped immensely.

I would go directly to a Psychiatrist (NOT a psychologist) and seek help. Tell them that Adderall worked very well for several people you know, and that you aren't interested in straterra, vyvanse, concerta, etc as they are merely drugs without generics that are less effective and more expensive (major push by drug reps to "educate" doctors on why these news drugs should be prescribed)

Good luck man, and get ready for all the work to practically fly off your desk. Adderall has become like the Dianabol of the Ivy League.

 

[renewlyf]

Be Careful With Prescription Meds!!

Adderall is a very addictive stimulant. There are Drs our there that will prescribe what ever you ask for. See a specialist, do your research and try some alternative treatments, fish oil, high dose B-complex vit, meditation, bio-feedback therapy. A pill isn't always the answer. More often than not it causes additional problems. Hope this helps

 

[dduong2]

Fair warning ... Going to your family Doc and getting on 'just a medication' might mask the situation, but will not get to the root of the issue and in the long run is not the best direction. Everyday I see family practice physicians prescribing medications they have no idea about, just because it is status quo ..... quite frustrating actually.

Not trying to be a jerk but ....... Would you go to a family doc for a shoulder surgery, a knee replacement?

Any physician with an ounce of credibility will recommend a consult with a specialist, esp. if it is effecting you significantly.

i agree with ya, i think you are absolutely right..

 

[DrivingForward]

Adderall is a very addictive stimulant. There are Drs our there that will prescribe what ever you ask for. See a specialist, do your research and try some alternative treatments, fish oil, high dose B-complex vit, meditation, bio-feedback therapy. A pill isn't always the answer. More often than not it causes additional problems. Hope this helps

Risk for chemical dependance w/ Adderall is highly overstated. Becoming acustomed to thinking sharply, having significantly more mental energy, and being able to focus-- thats the real thing that draws you in.

Then again, people are so quick to condemn "every way/every case except mine".

I know what its like to deal with a problem that is diagnosed, yet untreated because people with a mentality similar to yours said the risks outweighed the benefits.

However, I can tell you that in this case, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

 

[Thor]

Possibly

Risk for chemical dependance w/ Adderall is highly overstated. Becoming acustomed to thinking sharply, having significantly more mental energy, and being able to focus-- thats the real thing that draws you in.

Then again, people are so quick to condemn "every way/every case except mine".

I know what its like to deal with a problem that is diagnosed, yet untreated because people with a mentality similar to yours said the risks outweighed the benefits.

However, I can tell you that in this case, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

Personally have had ADHD my whole life and was never treated, self medicated for years (rec drugs) but never got to try ritalin or adderall til just the last few years, I agree with the guy who said he liked ritalin better, that shit worked really well for me, I also tried amphetamine salts and adderall XR 20 and WOW way too strong for me man.

 

[marshallmadman]

Thanks for all the input everyone. There are many more treatment options than I had imagined. I think I'm going to my general practitioner and just see what he has to say.