Can your primary doctor prescribe adderall

However, a careful past and current history of potential ADD symptomatic behaviors must be elicited to definitively rule out ADD. It is possible that the diagnosis was missed when the patient was a child. Be sure to assess the duration of the symptomatic behaviors and the reasons why the patient feels they are issues now.

Many disorders can lead to difficulties in concentration and functioning. In some of these disorders, the use of stimulants will exacerbate the symptoms. Are there other possible diagnoses that could account for the reported behavior? Are there signs of another psychiatric or medical disorder? Keep in mind that ADD can coexist with bipolar disorder or any other psychiatric disorder. ADD may also mimic symptoms or behaviors of other psychiatric disorders.

A number of medical disorders may need to be considered; for example, hyperthyroidism can cause difficulty in concentration. Patients with ADD and a comorbid psychiatric disorder are best referred to a psychiatrist for ongoing treatment. Your doctor will select the one which they feel is best for you. Also, there are many non-medicinal ways to cope with this condition, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy CBT , exercise and meditation.

Definitely look into some of these options while you wait for a diagnosis. I wish you the best of luck in the future! My bf has adhd and the doctor had avoided giving him that specific medication for that reason. I would discuss with your primary care physician or get a referral to see a psychiatrist to see if there are options for you.

If you think it might be ADHD, then there are many medication options. The rise of technology and having the ability to multitask leaves us used to being constantly stimulated. When we force ourselves to focus on just one thing, such as homework or reading a textbook, it becomes a difficult task. For this, I guess the only suggestion is to try to limit electronic use, but that might not be plausible for many.

Adderall is a stimulant medication used in the treatment of ADHD, if you don't have ADHD it doesn't typically actually help you focus but instead works in the same way as caffeine, or any other stimulant, does and makes you more "awake" or "alert".

If you believe you may have ADHD, or you are already diagnosed, bring it up with your doctor and discuss what your options are. However medication does not help everyone and there are other ways you can support yourself such as practicing mindfulness, if your doctor does not believe you need ADHD medication then it is likely not the best option at the moment for you and you should look at other methods of improving your general wellbeing.

If you are concerned that you may have a disorder like ADD or ADHD, first, you should talk to your school counselor or healthcare provider about diagnosis. They can help you work through all of this. It may be a good option for you, but a qualified person needs to help you decide this. Never take medication which is prescribed to or belongs to someone else.

This can be very, very dangerous. You should always consult with a professional before trying any new medications or treatment plans. But if it turns out that Adderall is the right option for you, then you can get a prescription from a psychiatrist. The first question to ask is when did you notice a difficulty to concentrate starting? Reflect back on your recent and childhood history and identify where this has been a problem, in what settings, and at what age did it start?

This is important to rule out possible reasons for the difficulty concentrating. If you answered that you have had difficulty concentrating your entire life in all settings, then you might have ADHD. To get assessed, you can go to a mental health provider with experience in diagnosing this, or to a physician.

Only a physician Primary care physician, Psychiatrist can prescribe medicine. So although a therapist who is trained in diagnosing this can assist with diagnosing, only someone with a medical license, and MD, can prescribe the medication.

Your PCP is a good starting point. Anonymous March 14th, pm. Contact a medical professional! Psychiatrists, psychologists, and many general practitioners can provide assessments and a diagnosis. Psychiatrists and general practitioners can prescribe medication, but a psychologist may be able to spend more time, be less expensive, and and give a referral to someone who can prescribe.

If medication isn't a path you want to take, cognitive behavioural therapy CBT is designed to help rewire how you think, and has been shown to be more effective long term both in combination with medication and without medication. Anonymous April 9th, pm. If you are having problems with concentrating it is probably a good idea to speak to your doctor and they can help you to find the source of what is preventing you from concentrating.

Unless the issue is ADHD, Adderall could further perpetuate the problem if you are experiencing something like depression or anxiety as this kind of drug makes the symptoms of these disorders worse which will ultimately make concentrating more difficult. Conclusion: seek professional help before you consider taking a drug to help concentration as you do not know how it will affect you.

Anonymous April 17th, pm. This medication is highly addictive and has many risks that come with it. Remeber that concentration is not only linked to ADHD; even depression can reduce your concentration, so it is not recommended that you use a medication meant for a condition you aren't diagnosed with. If you do suspect that your poor concentration is related to ADHD, you should talk to a doctor.

Your doctor will best be able to understand your symptoms to give you a diagnosis, and, if necessary, prescribe a medication that will help you best. The best would be to talk with your primary physician or a psychologist about the struggle you are facing. They can help you decide which steps are right for you. What you definitely should not do is just taking it yourself to look what happens.

Image Source: Juhan Sonin. ADHD is tough enough to have, but when you are treated like you are an addict or a criminal, then it gets even tougher. Here are 5 tips to help you through this unfortunate situation. Increase in concentration and attention. Reduce impulsivity. Increase in the ability to control the behavior and ignore negative situations. Improve in memory.

Mouth dryness during the day. Shortness of breath. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Circulatory disorders - cold fingers or toes, numbness in some part of the body. Allergies — often itching and rash.

Swelling of the tongue, throat, face. The slowdown of growth in children who regularly take the drug. Panic attacks when excess daily drug dose was taken. Difficult insomnia sleep problems. Constant tiredness. Skin diseases. Psychosis symptoms — aggression and hallucinations. Anorexia and undesired weight loss. If you feel any of these side effects while taking Adderall, immediately inform your doctor. How to Get an Adderall Prescription?