Getting a script for ADD/ADHD Meds.

[TheyCallMeThailee]

I'm hoping to talk with someone people who have recently been prescribed a stimulant medication for their attention management needs. I've been using methylphenidate-type (generic, adderall XR, concerta) medications during the school year for about three years. I don't take anything over the summer. I purchase these meds--here and there--from friends who are prescribed. It's been nothing short of instrumental for me, as I need near perfect grades and high extracurricular output, in order to get into M.D./Ph.D. programs.

I'm slightly worried that I may not be able to get a hold of these meds in the future. Ideally, I would like to have my own prescription. I'm wondering how difficult this would be for me to become prescribed. I don't have any history of difficulty. My grades are really good. So it would be hard to justify needing the medicine.

I wish I knew my psychiatrists ethics regarding this matter. Would the best approach be to describe my experience as matching the symptoms of ADD? This would be slightly untrue, since I really only experience difficulty sustaining attention when I'm reading/writing for long stretches of time.

Would it be better to explain the situation honestly? To say to him that I have been taking this type of medicine without a prescription and that it has really brought out the best of my abilities. To tell him I'm distressed that I won't be able to reach all my goals? To tell him that I think I need the medicine in order to continue performing outstandingly in school.

Any insight would be deeply appreciated! Whether you really need the medicine or have experience faking in order to become prescribed. Thanks!

[DiverDan]

My only real input is to say that if you tell your doctor/psychiatrist that you've been taking it without a script, you will almost assuredly be branded a drug abuser and I can almost guarantee you won't get a script, at least not the one you're looking for. They like to put drug users on anti-depressants.

[Storm2021]

I saw the doctor a couple days ago and got a script for Adderall. Make sure you let the doc know that you have trouble focusing and that you get distracted easily. Read up on ADHD and you'll start to associate the symptoms you read about with yourself, that'll make it easier when you go into the room and start discussing what's wrong. It also helps if you mention that someone in your family (Moms side) has add or adhd. Like DD said above...do not tell him you used scripted or non scripted drugs, that's a red flag. I did tell my doc that I did cocaine about 4 years ago, but i mentioned that it made things clearer and it helped me focus.He said that it made sense because of a dopamine thing. He actually asked me what I wanted to take for it and I told him my mom took adderall (which was true) and he agreed that it would help and wrote the script. Hope this helps.