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I can’t seem to ever concentrate. My friend says Adderall helps him concentrate. How do I find out if it’s a good option for me?

132 Answers
Last Updated: 07/06/2023 at 4:34pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 1st, 2017 12:47am
medication can always be an option that helps a lot with concentration but seeing a specialist can give you the advise or options that you may need. personally I have been off medication for a few years now but am starting up again in my next year at university, I feel I will get the most out of it while still in education but there are different severity's and they can depend on your environment.
Tekalon
July 15th, 2017 10:38pm
I recommend talking to your doctor. Adderall is a prescription drug and should be recommended by a doctor first.
JJspacedoubt
September 13th, 2017 4:56pm
Adderall is a prescribed stimulant medication. Consulting a professional is a great way to find out if Adderall, Vyvanse, or a different stimulant medication would be helpful.
Wonderball
September 14th, 2017 2:23am
Consult your prescribing physician. Some PCP's will write you a prescription for it, but some may refer you to a psychiatrist. Out of all the stimulants used to treat ADHD, Adderall is one of the more effective one for many people.
Schultzy
September 21st, 2017 10:27pm
Medications that are stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse are things that work for some people, But not everyone. If you feel that these types of medications are something you'd want to try and might be worth it to you, Consult with your family doctor or physician about these. They are professionals and will know what's best for you and will help you find a medication that works best for you.
Grackl3
October 21st, 2017 7:53pm
Talk to your doctor. Youd need a diagnosis of sorts before you were allowed to have a medication like that. Many things can cause an impairment in concentration, not just ADD/ADHD. Your doctor can help you figure out whats causing you problems and set you up with a good medication, if thats what you want.
blissfulHoney95
November 12th, 2017 8:01pm
Speak to your doctor or therapist. They are the experts and only a doctor can write a prescription.
Anonymous
January 7th, 2018 7:55am
I have taken adderall before and I have adhd. I think you should seek medical help before taking a medicine that your friend tells you to take. It's because adderall might work for your friend but not you. In my experience with it...it worked for school...but it made me less social and gave me terrible mood swings after it timed out. You look at other medication too.
Anonymous
February 2nd, 2018 4:07pm
try binaural beats for ADHD .. works for me.. use stereo headphones only.. and try to do quiet jobs like study or sleeping while listening to it.... u can play an instrumental music in back but without vocals..... and dont overdo it
Anonymous
April 4th, 2018 7:17pm
Make sure to first go to the doctor to get a correct prescription. It is very dangerous to take medication without professional opinion.
Pumpkin74
April 6th, 2018 11:44am
First, please stop taking your friends Adderall! That is a dangerous drug and should not be taken without a doctors orders. Having said that, the best way to decide if it is for you is to talk to a doctor and let them know what has been going on. We tend to hide the truth to stay out of trouble, but honesty is best in this situation and remember, you aren't the first person who has done this. Doctors see this all the time!
the3ofus
May 16th, 2018 5:21am
Talk to your doctor or a psychiatrist about taking Adderall. You're the expert on you, but your doctor is the expert on medication. Don't take his medication, even if he offers.
Callipiphan
May 18th, 2018 1:13am
Talk to your doctor. We cant help you on that side of things. Being open and honest with the medical professional.
Anonymous
June 21st, 2018 8:51am
I would ask your doctor if it is the right one for you. Sometimes a medicine may seem good for you, but it’s hard to tell for sure so it’s better to check with a professional.
nearestbird9
February 20th, 2019 7:25am
Speak with your general practitioner at your regular doctor's office first. Be honest about your symptoms and how they are impacting you, and a medical professional will be able to determine if it is the right treatment for you. They may also refer you to someone who is qualified to treat you, or potentially prescribe the medication. Adderall is a controlled substance, and is actually a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S. This means that it has a high potential for abuse, so please do not take other people's psychiatric medicine under any circumstance. I hope you are able to find a solution to your concentration issues soon! :)
OceanFox
April 27th, 2019 5:12pm
Talk to your doctor. Your doctor knows your medical history and would be best able to talk through medication options with you. Another thing to try is to see a therapist. Many therapists are trained to handle people with attention deficit problems. They can get a better picture of who you are and what you’re dealing with and then decide if medicine is even necessary for you. They might even be able to give you the right advice to get your issues under control without the meds! No matter which path you choose, the important thing is to talk to a professional to get an expert opinion.
selfcarewonderz
June 23rd, 2019 4:14pm
You need to speak to your doctor before starting any new medications. First, you take a small assessment to see what kind of personality fits you to see if the medication would be too powerful or too weak to help you. Then, you go through trial and error. You have to go through many different medications to find out which one is the best for you. When you find the one, you can contact your doctor to get a refill of Adderall or whatever medication works so you can take it daily to help your concentration get better.
ArabellaHazeldine
June 27th, 2019 2:46am
Ok Adderall is an ADHD medication. I would strongly advise you not to take anything you are not prescribed as you don’t know the side affects it may have on you as it is not your medication. Maybe try and think of an alternative method of concentrating that works for you. Everybody is different. Everybody learns in different ways. Perhaps you are better at concentrating and learning when you try something in a different way, such as a hands on approach, rather than just reading a text book. Maybe ask a tutor if there is another way you can approach the subject.
hkhan7
September 5th, 2019 2:56am
Definitely speak with a healthcare professional, such as a family doctor. They will be able to find out if you have ADHD and if Adderall is the best option for you. There are many different types of medications which help treat ADHD, including Vyvanse, Adderall and Ritalin. 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!
Crysys
September 7th, 2019 4:07pm
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". Using Adderall recreationally/without a prescription is both unethical and illegal, and definitely not something recommended as it can be physiologically and psychologically damaging due to side effects and misuse. 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.
peacefulLight8704
October 17th, 2019 1:25am
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.
LindsaySimonLMFT
November 8th, 2019 6:13am
Adderall is only appropriate for those diagnosed with ADHD and not being able to concentrate is a symptom of many things, just one being ADHD. 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, 2020 8:34pm
Contact a medical professional! Adderall is a prescribed medication (it is addictive, so please remember to be careful and stay safe) that is used to treat Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but difficulty concentrating can stem from a variety of things-another, perhaps even more common cause is anxiety and/or depression-so it is important to be assessed. 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, 2020 3:20pm
Adderall is a prescribed drug, usually for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 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. There are many reasons for concentration being disrupted such as ADHD, Depression or Anxiety. 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, 2020 9:20pm
Adderall is a controlled substance used to treat Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you do not have ADHD, Adderall will not help with concentration. 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.
dreamMelody27
April 18th, 2020 11:16am
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. You should definitely talk with an professional before medicating yourself on anything, because not all that helped a different person will help you. Till you get an appointment you could try methods to help you concentrate for example only focusing on one task at the time, Breaking down what you have to do in smaller more manageable blocks, using visual reminders, trying out Fidgit toys...
Anonymous
April 23rd, 2020 6:14am
It is best to start off with a least invasive measure first before taking medication. Try other relieving factors such as meditation exercises and deep breathing exercises. If you would like to find out if it is a good option for you, you may want to ask your physician on side effects that this medication may cause. I find that deep focus music helps me concentrate, as well as being in a dimmed room. You want to make sure you try other measures first before taking medications that may cause addiction and/or abuse in the future. I hope everything works out!
MiracleHelperthe1st
April 24th, 2020 8:18am
Be sure to immediately stop the medication and contact a doctor! If this medication has not been prescribed by an doctor you should be sure to contact your doctor concerning taking the medication. Also please tell your friend if the medication is not safe. If you have suicidal thoughts please contact a suicide hotline immediately. I would also recommend searching online about the medication such as its side effects. Please stay safe from any medications that cause you to feel bad or even worse. Please do not take any medications that are cause any health risks because it can lead to something bad!
Aidisnotapotato
May 14th, 2020 4:03am
Not being able to concentrate can be a big struggle for many people. If you find yourself struggling to focus and believe outside intervention via medication might help, visit your doctor. They might be able to help or refer you to a specialist. There are many options available for treatment if there is a diagnosable reason for struggles with concentration. Some doctors might suggest therapy, and others might prescribe medication such as Adderall. If medication is suggested, use it responsibly as directed. If you don't feel that it is working, reaching out to your doctor to find a new plan might be beneficial.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2020 7:51pm
I had trouble concentrating and considered it once but decided against it after working with my doctor. I can not answer this question but the best person to answer this is your doctor and family I suggest you go to your primary doctor and ask if he or she thinks that it is a good option for you. Also talk to those you trust. Always consult with your doctor before taking any medication as it could be harmful to your health. Listen to your doctors advice and in conjunction with you doctor and loved ones you have to make a choice based on their recommendations.