ok, i am struggling in college, like never before. i already aced calculus in 11th grade, then took stats in 12th grade. yea pretty good for high school right? now im placed in pre-calc (dont know why) and i failed it horribly. there are many factors, teacher, my studying habits, my job, the list goes on. anyway, i know that my problem in school has always been that my mind drifts off, yes i <3 la la land. i havent ever been tested for add, but i have a feeling i do. now you ask, why dont i see a doc? well its cuz my mom is currently working out of state, shes very emotional, and very unstable, if she quits her job now, she'll lose her pension, health, and severance. im sure some of you know what that is like. its almost unbearable for her out there and i feel for her cuz shes my mom, despite what i say bout her i love her. anyway, if she finds out i have ADD and want to take medicine to help me in school..she'll freak, come back lose all her 20years of hardwork with that company. so i cannot tell my mom. but i failed in math, the only subject i accel in, and shes worried, i need to get straight a's from here on out, or i might as well start looking for jobs. i dont know what to do, my friend can get ritalin for like $5/pill, i dunno if thats right or ripped off. but i really need aderall or ritalin. i know what the effects are and currently, after a recent blood donation, i have more than enough iron in my blood, i dont drink like most teens, i do smoke ciggs though, my blood pressure is perfect. im in tip top shape. sigh...any suggestions for the outcast in these forums?

Two points:

1) Using prescription drugs without a prescription is illegal.

2) Using ANY medication for a condition you do not have a sound diagnosis for is stupid and dangerous.

Scatterbrain put it a bit more bluntly than I would've :-), but she's completely right. Self medication isn't a good idea. If anything else, you should go to your doctor and get some things straightend out. If anything else, I'm sure he's definately the right person to ask your questions to. Ask your college if they don't have any services for students in your postion, as I'm sure you're not the first one.

Good luck!

The problem about diagnosis causing your mom to quit her job & move is unclear to me. But it seems that ought to be a fixable situation.

...and, if you're in college, you should be able to go to the school's medical center/counseling services to help get you properly diagnosed.

Just a thought here. If you are at least 18 years old you are entitled to privacy. No Dr is allowed to share your medical records to anyone else, including your mother, without your permission.

Also if you are a traditionally aged college student you should still be covered under your Moms medical benefits, if she has any.

I agree with the previous post that you should start with the health services at the college. There should also be some type of mental health services available to you at the college. At the very least a mater's level therapist.

Getting meds from your friend is a risky thing. It is illegal, first of all, and if you were caught it could cause an awful lot more pain for both you and your mother than simply getting treatment the proper way.

If you are able to get a good diagnosis then you may be eligible for academic accomodation of some type if you feel that you need it..

Please don't assume that medication will automatically cure your problems overnight. Meds can be helpful but are not enough on thier own. My instinct tells me that this is particuarly the case for adults that have not been previously diagnosed.

Those are my thoughts on the matter which are based more on life experience than on specific knowledge about ADD. If ADD is the problem that you are facing I hope that you will be able to get the help that you need.

When I am under extreme stress that I have almost no control over, I lose the ability to perform even simple math, forget calculus! This has happened to me several times during my life (I'm probably your Mom's age). I have aced math classes that I literally slept through and miserably flunked a mickey mouse college math class that I happened to take while in a very destructive relationship. (A year later I aced the same class so much so that I'm sure the instructor thought I must have been drugging the previous time.)

Though you didn't say anything specific is causing you major problems, the overall presentation of your posting seemed very stressed to me. Please consult a physician for help. Its good that you have noticed this problem on your own and you need help. Your Mom would want you to do what's best for you. Also talk to your best friend about all of this. It sounds like you need to relieve some of the weight you're carrying on your shoulders. Good luck!

if your over 18 and are covered you could go and get diagnosed and get help without your mom ever knowing, ever since hippa went into effect NO medical practioner or pharmacy could say ANYTHING. The only way she would know is if she looked on her insurance carrier and even thats iffy. so if your over 18 i say go for it