I am 22 years old. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD by a state university recommended psychiatrist. The diagnosis was not a surprise to me, but I have a unique case. I have a top 1-2% IQ in everything except working memory which was tested at below 50%. My overall IQ is still very high. Working memory is the gatekeeper of knowledge without its cooperation i can learn very little.
Compared to masses I am not disabled because my IQ is too high but as a rare case it is obvious my condition disables me from reaching my potential. Mostly relationships and academia have taken the blows.
I am going to get special time extensions on exams, but for every other day of the year I want something to help. Medication is the obvious choice for me because I don't have time for frequent counseling (the psych's preference). I have 3 jobs and 1 internship, so no time.
Can I take my diagnosis papers to an MD and get a prescription for Adderall XR or Vyvan or Strattera to help me focus when i need?
2007-08-26 09:11:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Thats why a psychitrist is a DOCTOR, to prescribe. Good luck, I've tried Adderall before...made me sleepy!
2007-08-26 09:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by SadToday22 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an adult with adhd. I take Adderall but only when I start a new job or have to learn something completely new, or at tax time, strangely. I have learned that some adhd meds only make me sit quietly and get written work done...some adhd meds get me off my butt and up cleaning when I am too overwhelmed to start somewhere. In fact, most people with adhd do have a very high iq, more importantly, they are very intelligent. You will need to talk to your doctor about what you need it for and show him the results of your psychiatrists observations. He will help you determine the best meds for your needs. The ones you need now may change when your situation changes your need. Also, make sure you eat well before taking the meds, they will cause a nausea feeling or lessen your appetite. You don't want to be short changed on nutrition. Good Luck with your studies and internship, and remember This too shall pass. When you get back into a routine and things settle down, you can probably go off the meds. I do until I need them again. Peace.
2007-08-26 16:34:12 · answer #2 · answered by mcross 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're definitely on the right track to learning to live with your disability by seeking help. I know that you feel that you don't having time for counseling, but I wouldn't totally discount it just yet. Counseling has many advantages over medication. It can help you develop lifelong skills to cope with your working memory deficit and ADHD in general. In the long run it is much cheaper than buying meds that you will have to take everyday. Also, those drugs are not to be taken without risk and do have side effects. I highly recommend trying the counseling and only going to medication if the counseling doesn't work. In answer to your question though, your psychiatrist is an MD so he/she can prescribe meds for you. Psychologists are the ones who are not MDs. Good luck.
2007-08-26 16:24:08 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. Girlfriend 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that your diagnosing psychiatrist would have provided medication. All you will probably accomplish by presenting your documents to a doctor of general medicine or another specialty besides psychiatry is a referral to a psychiatrist. I'm not a physician, but from experience, I can say that it would be easier to just speak with a psychiatrist and go from there. There are many medications which can help with your symptoms and finding the right one can be as easy as a 15 minute consult with a qualified doc.
2007-08-26 16:23:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not recommend taking the meds. It's legal methamphetamine. You'll be hooked on it in no time. I work as a therapist in mental health and have never seen a positive outcome when adults take ADHD drugs.
Most MDs are reluctant to prescribe an ADHD med. These are schedule II drugs that have to be prescribed on a monthly basis. No refills.
2007-08-26 16:24:09 · answer #5 · answered by Max 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A psychiatrist does write prescriptions. A doctor would ask who diagnosed your condition and then contact whomever to get the treatment recommended. Maybe you should get re diagnosed by an M.D. so that he/she can treat you without the psychiatrist's intervention.
2007-08-26 16:24:57 · answer #6 · answered by Lizbiz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An MD or a psychiatrist can prescribe it.
2007-08-27 23:01:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋