<p>A while back I went to see a psychologist for just feeling not like my self. Within one vist, she had come up with a diagnosis of ADHD. My family and I mostly ignored the diagnosis, and did nothing about it. Recently, I went to a physical and the nurse practitioner pulled out the paper and decided to give me Concerta for my ADHD. My question is, will this "diagnosis" of ADHD affect my applications to colleges? I truly don't feel there is anything wrong, but will colleges be able to see that I was prescribed Concerta for a week?Any input is appreciated.</p>
<p>The colleges aren't going to know what meds you are prescribed. Unless maybe you are applying to a service academy. Don't worry about it. I can't remember filling out anything medical until after my kids were in a school and maybe there was then a form for student health or insurance?</p>
<p>If Concerta (or other ADHD meds) works for you, make sure you figure out how/where to get your refills. These meds require a special prescription and it can be a pain finding a pharmacy to fill it. if you're moving out of state, then you've also got to find a new physician to prescribe it, unless your home doctor is willing to write the prescription without an office visit. You might have problems filling an out-of-state prescription.</p>
<p>You simply can't fill an out of state scrip. It's against federal law. So yeah, you'll need a new doctor wherever you go. </p>
<p>There's no way that colleges will know what conditions you have or what medications you are taking unless you tell them! (which you don't have to). </p>
<p>Whenever you are unsure about a medical diagnosis, get a second opinion. Was this a psychiatrist or a psychologist? I don't think the latter is as equipped (in terms of accredidation and training) to diagnose medical conditions. </p>
<p>Also, the whole "not feeling like yourself" thing sounds to me like depression. But I'm of course no expert.</p>
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You simply can't fill an out of state scrip.
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<p>Is that because the medication mentioned is a scheduled substance? I've certainly been able to fill prescriptions at pharmacies out of state while traveling, but the medications I was picking up weren't controlled substances. Or maybe the rules have changed now--that was more than a decade ago. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm over in this forum after being referred here by helpful replies in the Parents Forum. A discussion with local friends prompts me to want to better understand what services are available at colleges for students with ADD/ADHD, and I thought this thread would be a good place to ask about that.</p>
<p>When my D, now a college freshman with ADHD/LD, was investigating colleges, I looked at them in terms of services--their web sites are very informative. All of them offered services; some were clearly more accepting than others, but all are accommodating as long as the condition is documented recently (usually within 3 years). Accommodations are usually extended testing time but others are possible. At D's college, she had to meet with Disability Services, who then wrote letters to all of her profs. She had to deliver the letters and meet with each of them, and they were all very supportive. (We had not disclosed her issues prior to matriculation). Good luck!</p>
<p>You can probably visit the student health center at your prospective college, have an appt. with the MD there, and have your prescriptions written and filled locally. Maybe have your psychiatrist send up your records to the general MD and have him/her prescribe during the school year. Some colleges do not stock certain drugs but they usually refer students to local pharmacies for prescriptions of all types of meds that are not stocked in the student med center. Concerta is not hard to get... any Wal Mart, Wal Greens, CVS, etc can fill that rx. They may have to order it and it may take a few days, but there are a few in my family who have taken it and we have never had a problem getting it filled, including at college.</p>
<p>As far as colleges knowing, unless it is the military or you are a college athlete who is going to be subject to drug testing, you will not need to disclose your personal medical history to anyone.</p>
<p>"A while back I went to see a psychologist for just feeling not like my self. Within one vist, she had come up with a diagnosis of ADHD"</p>
<p>I know this was not your question, but this was not an adequate assessment ( unless MAYBE the one visit lasted move them for hoers and included you parents) and may not pass "muster" in order to get special accommodations. Coaching can be a great idea (for many students) but you may need a better assessment to help the coach help you. CHADD can sometimes be a good source for coaches (but NOT medication advice). There is no way I would write prescriptions based on that evaluation, but that's just me.</p>
<p>What I took from that statement was that the OP was so overwhelmingly demonstrating the symptoms of ADHD, all it took was one visit. Perhaps an exaggeration.</p>
<p>I agree (as per usual) with Shrinkrap. There is no way, even with "overwhelmingly demonstrated symptoms" that a dx can be professionally determined in one session. </p>
<p>No wonder we have so many overmedicated kids. Doctors are too quick to write scripts without appropriate assessment.</p>
<p>The "differential diagnosis" ( potential explanations) are extensive for this presenation. As you ( Claysoul) said, depression is among them. ADD is less likely then depression to present as "not feeling myself" . By definition, symptoms would be present ( even if not diagnosed ) before age 8. Theoretically at least, it is "yourself"</p>
<p>Proper diagnosis of ADD or ADHD requires a large number of different tests, both verbal and written, which usually occur over multiple sessions. It also involves consultations with the student's teachers and parents.</p>