Adderall is a prescription drug; it is used to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children and adults. The drug is a central nervous system stimulant that improves attention, organizational ability and performance in people who have a chronic problem with maintaining concentration. If you think you suffer from this disorder, or that someone you know has it, read this article to learn how to move towards a cure.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Being Honest With Yourself
Step 1. Know the symptoms associated with ADHD
Before making an appointment with your doctor, check if you suffer from any of the following symptoms consistently:
- Inability to notice the small details
- Ease of getting distracted from an assignment, also due to unrelated stimuli (noises, smells, people, etc.);
- Inability to focus on tasks long enough to complete them;
- Frequent changes that lead to one assignment after another, without completing them;
- Habit of chronically procrastinating;
- Frequent forgetfulness and disorganization;
- Difficulty in social situations: especially the inability to carry out one task at a time or to stay focused while someone is talking;
- Inability to sit still, especially when sitting
- Impatience;
- Tendency to interrupt continuously.
Step 2. Decide if your symptoms are severe enough to require medication prescribed by your doctor
We all have a hard time maintaining attention from time to time, especially when we are forced to focus on monotonous or uninteresting things for a long time. Students, for example, tend to request Adderall and other stimulants to help them with their studies even if they don't have ADHD. Remember that it is only natural for the mind to wander, and there are other ways to improve your work or school performance without resorting to drugs.
The difference between someone who "wants" a drug and someone who "needs it" is that the symptoms of the latter are so severe that they prevent them from functioning adequately within society. Remember this difference and judge your case as objectively as you can to determine the severity of your symptoms
Part 2 of 3: See Your Doctor
Step 1. Make an appointment with your psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are mental health professionals who can prescribe medications. Remember that psychologists, on the other hand, cannot make valid prescriptions for the purchase of medicines.
- If you need advice on contacting a good psychiatrist, ask your doctor.
- You may also choose to meet with several psychiatrists before choosing the one you feel most comfortable with.
Step 2. Discuss your concerns with your doctor
During the first appointment, your doctor will ask you why you made the appointment. Tell him your symptoms, how often they occur, how long you have been experiencing them. He will ask you some of the following questions to make a diagnosis.
- Some aspects that your doctor will try to identify are those symptoms that you have always suffered from (as it is believed that people are born with ADHD) and those that are highly detrimental to your well-being.
- It is important to be honest and meticulous. Open up to your doctor to receive the best possible treatment.
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Clarify your desire to receive a drug. Doctors know that not all patients want medicine, so it's important to let them know that your preferred option is drug over other treatment modalities.
Get an Adderall Prescription Step 6 - Don't say the name of the drug you want. It would give him the impression that you are self-diagnosing, which is his job. Instead, tell him your symptoms are so severe that you think medications are the only option. Only tell him if it's true.
Part 3 of 3: Proper Use
Step 1. Start with the lowest dose
Dosage is a topic you can discuss with your doctor and the doctor can offer you several options for starting treatment. Since Adderall can be addictive, it is best to start with a low dose to measure your sensitivity to the drug.
The lower the dosage, the less harmful the possible side effects will be
Step 2. Do not distribute Adderall around
Adderall and Ritalin are among the most abused prescription drugs, especially among students. Remember that if you have been prescribed it there is a reason, and giving it or selling it to others is unethical and can jeopardize their health.
Step 3. Do not take more than the recommended dose
Always take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you think the dosage is too low, talk to your doctor rather than taking more than indicated.
Advice
- As with many other mental illnesses, there are no tests to show that you have ADD or ADHD. Psychiatrists make the diagnosis and write prescriptions based on the symptoms described by the patient.
- Adults can also suffer from ADHD, but they often suffer from restlessness rather than hyperactivity. They may also be struggling to have interpersonal or work relationships.
Warnings
- Adderall contains amphetamine, which can be addictive. It should only be taken by the person for whom it was prescribed.
- There are many short and long term side effects associated with Adderall. Short-term ones include nervousness, decreased appetite, weight loss, headache, difficulty falling asleep, and nausea. Long-term ones include irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, and seizures.
- Stimulant drugs should not routinely be taken by children, adolescents or adults with cardiovascular abnormalities such as arrhythmias or cardiomyopathies, as they have the potential to aggravate these conditions.
