Mistype... I think I may need Adderall?

Question

Ok, though I have mentioned never having been formally diagnosed with ADHD and my performance academically and socially could probably fight a case against me having ADHD, I still think I may have an attention problem. I will be reading an article fine and then all of a sudden, my mind starts racing to a million different things so I have to reread the last 2/3 about 3 times. This is TIME CONSUMING. This is why I'm wondering if Adderall is good for such problems. I am starting dental school and I want to learn all there is. I don't know if I can do that in a timely fashion with how unfocused I am while reading. I talked with my mom about it and she said it never hurts to ask the MD. Do you think my case will be blown because how bad can my attention be if I managed to get into dental school? I'm open to opinions....and suggestions. Thanks.

Let me reiterate. This focus issue is only while reading or listening and I am fine for a little bit, but then I realize I'm not absorbing any information anymore and have to backtrack bc I'm thinking of too many things. It doesn't happen when I'm doing something active and I have no reason to think it would while working on a patient. I am a researcher. If I had attention problems while doing that... I wouldn't have a job. Clear?

Answer 1

A diagnosis of ADHD requires that symptom were present and caused significant impairment before the age of 7. If it's just now starting to be a problem, then you don't have ADHD. Your preformance to this point doesn't just suggest you don't have ADHD, it most likely means you don't meet the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. And from what you describe, I don't think you do.

Are the articles you're having trouble reading boring, by any chance? Everyone has trouble paying attention sometimes. People with ADHD have trouble paying attention to anything, no matter how interesting they find it. It wouldn't just effect reading.

I'm also not entirely clear on how you've concluded you need Adderall specifically. Ritalin is clinically proven to be just as effective as Adderall but causes slightly milder side effects at therapeutic doses. There's also Strattera, which is not a stimulant, and does not have significant abuse potential. If you go in asking for Adderall specifically without a diagnosis of ADHD I assure you you're not going to get it as that's clearly drug-seeking behavior. If you really believe you have the disorder, you should let your doctor diagnose it and determine the most appropriate treatment based on your symptoms. However, I very much doubt that you have ADHD at all.

Answer 2

You may or may not have ADHD but you could still have focusing problems while reading. You could be what's called a kinesthetic learner. This means that you learn best by tactile teaching, which is to say, you are more of a hands on type learner. It makes learning tough because kinesthetic learners find it very difficult to focus while reading or listening. But that doesn't mean you can't try to improve it. Try to remove all distractions while you read. It's important to have the room very quiet. Try to reading each sentence slowly, letting each word sink in. You can do a search on kinesthetic learners for more tips on how to absorb info. If you have ADHD, you would also be hyperactive also. You would feel as if you've had a few cups of coffee all the time! People who have ADHD also don't sleep well and most have nervous habits/tics. If you have some of these symptoms, ask you Doctor about testing for ADHD. And yes, if you do have it, adderall would work well. My brother, who has ADHD, uses it and it has helped him. It's actually a stimulant as opposed to a central nervous system depressant. In people without the disorder, adderall would be basically like taking speed. But when you have the disorder, it works like a tranquilizer to calm the person down. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

If you're going to a qualified MD, your chances of getting diagnosed shouldn't be any different with you entering dental school. Studies have actually shown that people/children with ADD or ADHD actually, on average, have higher IQ's than people without. And your MD should know this.

Be careful with the Adderall, and just make sure that you absolutely have this disorder. ADD and ADHD are well-known for being wildly over-diagnosed. If you really don't have ADHD, the Adderall will give you a huge rush of dopamine and noradrenaline. It is, in essence, speed. You should know immediately whether it is helping you, or just making your condition worse.

I know this sounds tree-huggy, but maybe try some ginseng or other natural attention-helping herbs first.

Answer 4

The first thing to do is get tested. YOu cannot just start meds just because you have problems without being tested. What you described in your post though is NOT ADD. It is consistent with ADD tendencies which is what my daughter has and what I think I probably have too. It is where you mind is running constantly aka racing like you said with thousands of things going on in your mind that distract you. There is no med for this and the key is to try to learn how to shut off your brain. Hope this helps some. My daughter was tested for ADD as well as my son and my son has it but my daughter doesn't which I basically knew just from learning about ADD after my son was diagnosed.

Answer 5

Honey, my daughter was put on adderall in 2nd grade. It has now been linked to heart diseases and such. This drug caused my baby's hair to fall out. It caused her to have horrible nightmares, and it also made her very anxious and she seemed very different. Don't let the drugs be what controls you, because you can control yourself. Don't tell me, or yourself, or anyone else otherwise. You can get over ADHD. We've (My daughter and I) been through it. She went through physical withdrawals at the age of 7 1/2. She's been off the ADHD meds for 4 years. She's doing great. Exercise has helped her be more, as she puts it "pooped". You should be fine without any meds. Good Luck.

Answer 6

You got to get your Focus Straigthened out Girl-Friend, I don't know how you gonna do much of anything if you don't. I sure as heck don't want you working on my teeth and thinking about lying on the beach in the Bahamas Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!Seroiuslyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!Go See A Professional- It could cost you your career.