Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

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
1 Tip to Feel Better
Portugal
Moderated by

Jennifer Patterson, LMFT

Art Therapist

Life can be messy. Sometimes you need a little support to make your way through it. I love to help guide people through their challenges & to find the beauty in our messes.

Top Rated Answers
Maggis88
June 12th, 2020 6:03pm
Make sure you talk to your doctor. most people find that for ADHD a combination of medication and talk therapy or other ways of coping is the most effective. You will want to make sure your doctor has experience with ADHD and that they know all about it. you may want to ask about more natural treatments and try those first and then turn to meds. It's really up to you and your doctor to decide the best path for you. you must experience issues in more than one aspect of life for a diagnosis. if you do decide on meds your doctor will prescribe different doses and drugs and see what works best for you.
Anonymous
July 1st, 2020 7:06pm
If you are considering medication to help you focus, it's best to see a psychiatrist / trained doctor or professional first! They are trained to know what medications help what symptoms, and if they see fit, they would be able to give you the correct dosage of a medication. The medication or the dosage that works for your friend may not be best for you - and a doctor would know best. Have you ever talked to your friend about how he felt before taking Adderall? If he felt similar to how you feel now, that may be another good reason for you to see a professional!
faeriejpg11
July 2nd, 2020 9:37am
You could try researching more on the use of Adderall. Since it is a drug, educating yourself on the risks and benefits to see if it would be suitable for you is important. Everyone's body works differently, so stick to your gut. Reaching out to a family doctor or mental health professional is also helpful since they are trained and educated in medications for mental health.
brightbubbles88
July 4th, 2020 5:16pm
Hello there! I can definitely understand having difficulty concentrating-you are certainly not alone in that. Adderall is a common medication prescribed by a doctor to help with concentration so the best way to find out if it is a good option for you is to seek support from your doctor and let them know your concerns. From there they may refer you to another professional to explore whether the difficulty concentrating is related to ADHD and/or determine other factors that may be contributing this difficulty (ie past trauma, anxiety, difficulty with time management, lack of motivation). Know that Adderall is not the only "solution" to help with concentration, and though it helps for some individuals, like your friend, there are also other options to help you out and improve your day to day life like learning strategies and coping skills. It absolutely does not hurt to seek support from your doctor and explore what option(s) would work for you. All the best, good luck and I believe in you!
kindZebra4867
July 15th, 2020 12:59am
Talk with your healthcare provider about different options to improve concentration. Ask if Adderall could be a good option. But don't limit yourself to just that - one solution won't work for everyone. Since you are having difficulty concentrating, you could look into an ADHD diagnosis - this would also be something you could speak about with your healthcare provider. Before you do so, educate yourself and search online for different ADHD symptoms and see if you relate to them. A good source is ADDITUDE, and here is one of their articles: https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-symptoms-checklist/. I have difficulty concentrating at times as well and have personal experience with ADHD. Know that there is no miracle pill. Medication may help, but you may still find challenges concentrating even while taking medication. So, a multi-faceted approach may be recommended. And again, talk with a healthcare professional about your options and what you can start doing to help improve your concentration.
KittyKat0269
July 24th, 2020 7:54pm
I would say then it would be an appropriate option to make a appointment with your physician to ensure that all your needs are being met. What may be good for your friend may not be good for you, but there are many options for the doctor to try with you. Oftentimes, your physician may want you to seek counseling as well to make sure there isn't an underlying mental health issue causing the perceived lack of concentration. Undiagnosed mental health issues can often have lack of concentration as a symptom, and are often manageable once diagnosed. It is certainly worth checking it out :)
Haleybaxter03
July 29th, 2020 11:09pm
You can always talk with a therapist and ask them what they think is best for you. Always do whatever you are comfortable with as well. If you do not feel comfortable taking medication, there are always other options for you. There's different tests you can take to see if you have ADHD normally taken by a psychologist. Seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, I think would be better than a therapist if you want medication. If you do not, I would recommend the therapist. Talking to family members is always a good choice before talking to a professional because they usually know what's best for you.
Calmwaters2246
August 2nd, 2020 3:45am
The best way is to find a behavioral therapist who is able to evaluate you for Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder. I was diagnosed as an adult, and I wish someone had helped me find information like this sooner! There are a series of questions and activities that they will have you do to evaluate your baseline and determine if something like Adderall or many other ADHD medication might help you with some of the things that you are struggling with. It is very important that you get evaluated and don’t take someone else’s medication as these drugs can have lasting effects and the doses need to be figured out by a doctor. I wish you all the best and I hope you find the assistance you need!
Anonymous
October 21st, 2020 1:47pm
well having problem with concentration can always be troublesome not being able to do the things with focus and not being able to enjoy it while doing due to loss of difficulty on focusing on same thing for a long time. Though it does not mean use of chemical substance without proper consultation with a professional is not a good idea. Reaching for help and consulting you're problem with a family member or going to the therapy for support might be a solution .The Adderall is a drug normally use for ADHD so in my opinion diagnosing the reason behind problem might be solution .
StarlitSky4762
October 25th, 2020 2:51pm
You should talk to a psychiatrist. A doctor will be able to help you pick out a medication that works for you. Your friend's experience, medical history, and physiological response to medication might be different from your own. It is very important to talk to a healthcare professional about medications that you would like to change. Please don't buy or use street drugs OR other people's prescription drugs to help you concentrate. Instead you can work with a qualified psychiatrist who can help you figure out the best solution to your specific issue. I wish you the best of luck.
Anonymous
October 25th, 2020 6:51pm
Adderall will only help individuals with disorders like ADHD focus more. Adderall will NOT have this same "enhanced focus" effect on humans without ADHD. If you find yourself struggling to focus in school, life, or conversations, then you should talk to a licensed health professional (such as a psychiatrist, who can provide medication if they see fit). NEVER self diagnose yourself and take someone else's adderall, this will not help you focus more. Psychiatrists are doctors who can prescribe medications such as adderall.
Anonymous
November 18th, 2020 6:18pm
From personal experience taking something that is not prescribed to you by a family physician can have the opposite effect of what you are looking for if there is not a formal diagnosis of what the medication is meant to treat. if you wish to speak to a listener here at 7 cups there are many listeners ready and willing to connect with you and listen in a most caring non-judgemental way. I am happy you reached out with this you will figure this out and we are all here to listen if you need to get anything upsetting you off of our chest.
kindSummer9997
November 18th, 2020 10:39pm
Talk to your doctor about your problem and see how it goes, don't try anything that your friend gives you because it might not be the best option. Talking to your doctor will help you figure a strategy out, and why you can't concentrate. I don't want to diagnose you but ADHD could be a possible thing that you could have. Do you have any medical history of possible ADHD ? Usually things other than medication can help you concentrate such as, music, specific smells, a stress object or even just being in a quiet room. But it always depends on the individual. I suggest to talk to your trusted health care professional to figure out what the problem is
Anonymous
November 25th, 2020 2:46am
Hello. This forum is not the best place to get advice on an issue such as this. This would be a question that you would direct to a medical professional such as your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist. There are many resources online where you can find a specialist about this in your area. Please do not take any prescriptions that are not written and prescribed to you personally by a medical professional, even if the person that gave you the medicine is someone that you trust and is close to you. Please consult with a doctor, or with a parental figure if that is something you’re comfortable with.
TheFutureDoesntExist
December 5th, 2020 1:35am
You shouldn't try what works for him , because it may not work for you. You need a prescription for Adderall , you should talk to a psychologist or just simply a doctor and see if they give you better options before jumping to try medications. You should also try some remedies at home , for example putting lavender in an oil diffuser helps me concentrate and completely relaxed , but remember what works for someone else may not work for you. Always try home remedies first before seeking professional help. I hope I was able to help you
Anonymous
December 23rd, 2020 8:41pm
well if you are having a hard time with this then talk to a trusted adult or a doctor. Everyone is different the best thing to do is talk to a doctor about what is going on and they can prescribe something to help. Just because something works for your friend doesn't mean it would work for you. If you are curious about this particular drug than ask your doctor about it and they can see if it would be right for you it all just depends on how severe your issue is and that can help determine the best medication for you.
Anonymous
December 30th, 2020 4:55pm
To get a certain type of medicine, you will have to go to a therapist who can evaluate you and then can determine if putting you on a type of medicine would be a good option for you. If so, you will have to continue to see a specialist to see if the medicine is working for you, or if you should try something else to help you. Then you can continue to grow and hopefully start to focus and concentrate better. You should also take some time for your mental health to help you refocus your brain, such as writing, reading, or exercising.
Manii3269
December 31st, 2020 7:48pm
Do not use any type of drug to get you to do something you naturally should learn how to do, your body will become dependent on that drug. The way I can see someone doing that is with a professional recommendation, outside of that, do not self diagnose yourself, that is a bad idea if that is what you are doing. There are many ways to teach yourself how focus. I have ADHD diagnosed, my mother never allowed the doctors to drug be, bless her soul for that. I had to literally teach myself how to focus. #1 Try to watch less Tv #2 Work out #3 Breathing exercises/Meditation #4 Read #5 Do anything activity that demands long periods of focus to train your mind, chess, writing, etc. Train your mind to focus. Hope this helps
Anonymous
January 23rd, 2021 4:37pm
Hey! Focus and concentration can be a big hurdle often. It's best to consult a certified psychiatrist in order to find out if Adderall could be the thing for you. Adderall is often prescribed to patients with ADHD. Have a chat with a therapist to explore what can be the cause of the lack of concentration. You can also explore some options and methods for concentration on your own! Try experimenting with planning and journaling! Meditation, yoga and exercise can also help with keeping up focus in your tasks. Lastly, you can try planning periods throughout your day without phones or other digital distractions and if you see yourself losing concentration throughout the day - take a step back, breathe, stretch and have a drink of water! Hope this helps! :)
niceRainbows39
January 24th, 2021 2:36am
First of all, I would do some research online about it, make sure that you understand what it's used for, what it does, and what the side effects of it are. Adderall is commonly used to treat ADHD, which there's a possibility that you could be struggling with. There are side effects to be aware of though, such as insomnia, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. Next, it would be best to discuss this with your doctor. Your doctor can talk to you about Adderall and help you decide if it's truly a good option for you. Good luck, and I hope that you're able to find the best option for you!
EnchantingLight3535
February 14th, 2021 2:33pm
Well, I have concentration issues as well but do not take medication for them anymore. So one may not have to take a medication for this forever. I use to take Adderall when I was younger to concentrate on school work and zone out less. Now, I just meditate a lot. It helps me clear my mind and focus. If you want a doctors opinion then find a psychiatrist who takes your insurance or find one you can afford. Meet with the psychiatrist and tell them your symptoms (for example, I can't focus when people talk to me). Let the psychiatrist decide if Adderall or another medication is suitable to your needs. Also talk to other people about what they do if they can't concentrate. Getting suggestions from people who are going through the same thing as you helps a great deal.
the11thcup
March 17th, 2021 8:25pm
Make an appointment with a psychiatrist or neurologist. These Specialists would be able to be properly evaluate you based on medical history etc. Another thing to consider, is seeking the opinion of you primary doctor if you don’t want to wait for an appointment with a specialist (which can be quite long especially as a new patient) There are many other meds besides adderall for concentration and if not used properly can be very dangerous. It’s best to be fully evaluated for ADD and ADHD and then take it from there. So please, consult a physician before Taking any stimulants.
Anonymous
March 18th, 2021 4:33am
Maybe try and ask your parent, or your doctor. I have issues with paying attention too so your arent alone on this ^^ so dont worry at all. You can come to a listener as well for help or to vent on whatever is troubling you, nothing is wrong with asking for alittle bit of help. We are a judgement free place, meant to make you feel safe and make you feel like were trust-worthy, so do not be afraid to reach out :) Its okay, and everything will work out soon enough, just have hope. :) your amzing as well so just keep that in mind.
Anonymous
March 24th, 2021 1:09am
I recommend seeking advice from a licensed prescriber. There are different medications and options for stimulants and concentration difficulties, so if Adderall works for your friend, it may not necessarily work for you. I personally take medication for concentration difficulties, as well as my sibling, however, we take different medications because of varying side effects, half-life (how long it takes for your body to metabolize and get rid of the effects), and the amount needed. Medication definitely can be an option for concentration difficulties, but I also may suggest looking into other strategies as well for studying and productive habits because those can often assist with issues as well as medicine.
lakelady1414
April 23rd, 2021 1:26pm
A good option would be to see a psychologist. They can do several tests and examinations to determine what is a good fit for you. Often times issues regarding mental health can be really unclear. For example lack of concentration could be the result of other issues such as anxiety, depression, poor diet, poor sleep, etc. Psychologists use their knowledge and experience on a variety of topics to assess your personal situation on numerous levels to determine holistically what you may be experiencing. In addition, I would never recommend taking medical advice from a friend. Though it can be helpful to gain some foundational information and push you to seek proper professional help, unless your friend is qualified, it is best to seek professional medical help when problems become too much to handle or seem to be moving in a more serious direction.
Anonymous
May 2nd, 2021 6:00am
First things first never take any medication not prescribed by your doctor or cleared by them. I would say talk to your doctor about what you are experiencing if not a mental health specialist. Sometimes a lack of concentration can be caused by a number of stressors in your life. These can range from everyday problems to environment issues. What works best for others may not work best for you! Also check on your habits, are you eating well, are you getting enough exercise, getting enough sleep? If this is not that problem then you may have ADHD or ADD. Or maybe even another disorder, there are tests online to help you self-diagnose. I do not recommend taking Adderall based on these results. If it does appear that you have one of these disorders discuss with doctor about getting a prescription!
KindFriend2001
May 7th, 2021 2:31pm
Definitely talk to a psychiatrist about getting diagnosed with ADHD. You have to be diagnosed with ADHD before being prescribed Adderall, and also, lack of concentration could be caused by depression and anxiety as well. In my experience, the first medication they’ll try will be a stimulant (like Adderall) of some kind. From there, you will be able to see if that works for you, or another medication works better. Do not try to take Adderall without a doctor’s prescription, as it can become addictive and dangerous if not taken properly. If it is likely caused by anxiety or depression, you may be put on an antidepressant or anti-anxiety med before being put on anything for ADHD, as well. Tl;dr-Talk to your doctor, and be open and honest about what you’re experiencing.
ouiCherie
May 28th, 2021 7:28am
Having difficulty to concentrate is indeed tough and may negatively affect our productivities, ability to function well in daily lives, and or our relationships with others. ​ Difficulty to concentrate can be a result of many different things, from depression, anxiety to ADHD. Different things may need different treatment, help and medications. I'd like to strongly encourage you to visit a Psychiatrist or Doctor to get a proper and correct diagnosis and medication. As Adderall is a stimulant that also have side effects such as increase of body temperature, loss of appetite, increase blood pressure, and heart rate, etc. It is not an Over the Counter (OTC) medicine for a reason.
whimsicalWriting9073
June 3rd, 2021 5:14am
Ask your doctor or psychiatrist. Don't figure it out on your own. Meds work differently for everyone. Adderall worked for me for a period of time then I had to increase the dose. But that's just me. I felt like i had super powers on it. Don't try meds without the guidance of a doctor. Meditation is really good, yoga. Go to your family doctor, if they want to refer you to a psychiatrist do that. I personally thing Adderall is addictive but drugs help everyone in different ways. Don't do anything without the guidance of a doctor. That's all I can think of.
Rainbowsandmiracles888
July 30th, 2021 7:23am
It’s great that your friend has found a medication that makes their ADHD better. Your first step would be to make an appointment with a psychiatrist who can evaluate you to see if you meet the criteria for ADHD. He or she can help you formulate a medication plan if it they do confirm that you have ADHD. Adderall can be a great medication when used properly to treat a mental health condition. They can evaluate whether or not you would benefit from the medication. There’s many different medications to treat ADHD disorder. Talking to a health care professional can help you evaluate your options.