Attention Deficit Disorder/Adderall/etc

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Washington
1

<p>main thing: okay I have insurance and such (from group health), but I had a negative experience when I tried to seek help a while ago. Unfortunately that didn't help with anything and I really want to see someone else since i have major problems with attention span/concentration/etc. Okay and as for background info, I entered 2 years early, with self-studied SAT IIs of 800 (Math IIC) and 790 (Chemistry), AIME qualification, 5's on AP Calc BC, Euro, and World History (4 on AP chem bah), and 213 on PSAT. </p>

<p>So does anyone KNOW of any relatively cheap doctors in this region who prescribe Adderall for relatively cheap prices (even if I don't have insurance?) And no, I'm not trying to do it illegally, I'm trying to do it legally. I'm pretty desperate right now and am willing to try anything (okay omega-3's don't really work). Also, I <em>really</em> want to get into grad school and there aren't a lot of options I have left other than Adderall. </p>

<p>And frankly, I'm getting quite bogged down on my independent reading. I'm willing to sacrifice everything (except the Internet) for this (in fact I don't really do anything other than study and go online). </p>

<p>==</p>

<p>So does it cost money if you get diagnosed only through tests? And how do you do it through that route, as opposed to doing it through elementary school forms. I'm plagued with attention span problems, and have been for the last few years, but they only affect my more intellectually demanding work, not my less intellectually demanding ones. The other issue is that I <em>know</em> I'm fully capable of the work - I have really good stats, yet my psychiatrist told me that if it doesn't show up in childhood, it's not authentic ADD[**]. He told me to major in something else, of all things. Yes I like math, and no, I don't like getting bogged down in the textbook every sentence or so, or getting distracted every few minutes, or just staring at the words without absorbing anything (PS: breaks don't help). So I didn't see him again after that. Yes I've tried sleeping more, adopting healthier diet, etc => none of those work at all.</p>

<p>[**]: I think it's because it was adolescent behavioral health. That's the thing. He's specialized in dealing with childhood ADD. So how do I get connected with someone who deals with adult ADD?</p>

<p>Also the problem with ADD is that it is so ill-defined (and <em>extremely</em> poorly documented in older individuals) in such a way that he really shouldn't be saying that if it doesn't show up in childhood, you don't have it. It's interfering <em>majorly</em> with my life - so bad that I still can't get my work done even though I have no ECs or outside activities.</p>

<p>EDIT: From Wikipedia, it says Adult attention-deficit disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that symptoms must have been present in childhood. The problem is - what if <em>others</em> haven't noticed them at all (WHEN I WAS A CHILD)? Psychiatry hasn't categorized all malfunctions as of yet (in fact, by EXCLUDING people from categorization, it leaves swaths of the population TOTALLY unrecognized. And I'm no scientologist - I read and trust Scientific American/PNAS/etc as if it were a Bible, but the fact is that classifications don't really follow the scientific method [until you've made them up and THEN use the scientific method to test how people fitting under such categories do in life relative to others in dimension X. They're valid but not perfect, and when they're not perfect, they end up leaving people out]). And as for me, I know that my attention span is higher at some times than at others, but it's only high during a small minority of times. And it's immensely frustrating for me to realize that I <em>could</em> achieve more.</p>

<p>EDIT2: Also, this is <em>inattentive</em> ADD I'm talking about. The hyperactive form doesn't show up in real life.</p>

<p>EDIT3: There are plenty of neurological changes that can cause ADD as you grow up. Like lead poisoning. Seriously, those things can happen later in life as well. And they <em>can</em> permanently affect attention span.</p>

2

<p>I'm not from the area so I can specifically recommend a doctor but I do know that you can be diagnosed with ADD as an adult. There is an IQ test that is administered over a few hours. I'm not sure if its just a standard IQ test or if it is specially designed for this purpose BUT it basically scores you in different areas and if you score significantly lower on a certain one or two areas then you'll be officially diagnosed with ADD and the process begins. Theres not really any way to fake it so hopefully your self diagnosis is correct and its that simple for you. If I remember correctly, it was actually a psychiatrist who administered my test so it seems strange that yours would be discouraging you. </p>

<p>Adderall is a controlled substance that, if taken, sold, or prescribed improperly, can get you into just as much legal trouble as an illegal drug such as cocaine. Because of this, its understandably harder to get a prescription for especially if you don't have a documented history of ADD and adderall prescriptions. But like I said, if you do truly have ADD a competent doctor can and will diagnose it and prescribe you the proper medication.</p>

<p>As far as costs go.... a doctor visit, test, and prescription WITHOUT insurance is a very costly venture. Doctors would generally set their own prices and the medication would likely have a standard price (you can usually get a generic version for cheaper). Most people, like myself, have insurance that covers their prescriptions and all you have to pay is a copay. The amount of copay depends on your insurance provider. The same holds true for doctor visits. </p>

<p>If you don't have insurance to cover any of this.... I'd say make that your priority first.</p>

3

<p>You should go through your childhood reports- it should show up on report cards (inattentive, doesn't complete work in a timely manner) and in tests (wide range in sub test areas can indicate lack of attention) as well as any special accommodations a teacher made to get you to complete assignments. Any anecdotes from parents, teachers can help.</p>