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Is It Necessary To Have Medication For Difficulty Focussing?
Question: Hi, I was diagnosed with ADHD as a child and took Ritalin. As a teenager, my pediatrician switched me to Adderall. After moving and finding a new family doctor, I was told ADHD is not common in adults and was basically accused of being a "drug-seeker". I'm not sure what to do because it is affecting my work and have even lost jobs due to lack of focus basically. What should I do?
Brief Answer:
Adult ADD is common
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns. You have difficulty in focusing towards important task and that is common in people with childhood ADHD when they grow old. In adult ADHD, the attention deficits are more common and that you might be facing.
You must visit a psychiatrist because family doctor is physician and doesn't have enough knowledge regarding psychiatric illness. There are many drugs that can help you like atomoxetine, bupropion, reboxetine etc. Adderall and other similar drugs have high abuse liability and that is why your doctor is not prescribing it. A psychiatrist will evaluate and understand your symptoms better, so visit a psychiatrist and let him decide what to be done in your case.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Adult ADD is common
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.
I have read your query and understood your concerns. You have difficulty in focusing towards important task and that is common in people with childhood ADHD when they grow old. In adult ADHD, the attention deficits are more common and that you might be facing.
You must visit a psychiatrist because family doctor is physician and doesn't have enough knowledge regarding psychiatric illness. There are many drugs that can help you like atomoxetine, bupropion, reboxetine etc. Adderall and other similar drugs have high abuse liability and that is why your doctor is not prescribing it. A psychiatrist will evaluate and understand your symptoms better, so visit a psychiatrist and let him decide what to be done in your case.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Thank you so much for your response. Do the other medications you mentioned require a prescription as well? Do you know you of any OTC medications that would be helpful in the meantime until I can get into see a psychiatrist?
Thanks again for your help!
Thanks again for your help!
Brief Answer:
Other drugs also require a prescription
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
The other drugs, I have mentioned will also require a prescription to buy them.
There are no OTC drugs for increasing concentration but high caffeine intake will help you. Taking tea or coffee [whichever suits you] 4 to 5 times a day will help in increasing concentration.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Other drugs also require a prescription
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing again.
The other drugs, I have mentioned will also require a prescription to buy them.
There are no OTC drugs for increasing concentration but high caffeine intake will help you. Taking tea or coffee [whichever suits you] 4 to 5 times a day will help in increasing concentration.
Hope I have answered your query. If you do not have further query then close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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