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Do Medication Used For Childhood ADHD Work In Adults?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Aug 2015
Question: I was diagnosed with adhd as a child and took medicine from 6th through my second year of college. I then dropped out in 2003 to start a family, but furthered my education in 2012-2013. I was prescribed a new adhd medication during this time which was calming and able to help me focus, as in grade school. I had another child and stopped again. I have been having hard time focusing, engaging in a multiple faceted conversation, and am experiencing hyper, unfocused, and an anxiety filled life. I plan to finish my last year of college with a bachelor in accounting in August 2015 since my children are in school. I would like to get back on my adhd meds, but my childhood dr.from a different state has now retired. I am 32 now. Please advise. Thank you in advance.
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Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Mostly will have to continue on medicines.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Most of the people who have ADHD during childhood tend to continue to have adult ADHD in adulthood as well. In such circumstances, generally you are required to continue to use the ADHD medicines. Methylphenidate 20mg SR and Adderall are good medicine which are effective in adult ADHD as well. You may continue using them. Further these medicines are not OTC medicines and this may require a prescription from a local psychiatrist for the same. Do meet your local GP with all the old prescriptions which have documentation of you having ADHD.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy

Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
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Dr. Srikanth Reddy

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Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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Do Medication Used For Childhood ADHD Work In Adults?

Brief Answer: Mostly will have to continue on medicines. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through. Most of the people who have ADHD during childhood tend to continue to have adult ADHD in adulthood as well. In such circumstances, generally you are required to continue to use the ADHD medicines. Methylphenidate 20mg SR and Adderall are good medicine which are effective in adult ADHD as well. You may continue using them. Further these medicines are not OTC medicines and this may require a prescription from a local psychiatrist for the same. Do meet your local GP with all the old prescriptions which have documentation of you having ADHD. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.