My daughter is 24 never diagnosed with adhd and now wants to take aderol. is this dangerous? college graduate 3.24 gpa high school honor roll never any problems with teachers or coaches. i believe she took aderol in college and liked the way it made her

The : The signs of adhd (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity) are age and development dependent as well as the subtype of adhd an individual may have. Inattentive symptoms can include: careless mistakes/poor attention to details; unable to pay continuous attention; poor listening skills; unable to follow through on tasks; poor organization; staying away from tasks that require sustained mental effort; losing items needed for tasks or activities and being forgetful in daily activities. Hyperactive/impulsive symptoms include: fidgeting or squirming; unable to stay seated when expected to do so; running or climbing (feeling of restlessness in older children/adolescents); trouble with quiet activitie;, needing to be "on the go"; talking too much; blurting out answers; trouble taking turns and interrupting or intruding on others. To be diagnosed with adhd: • at least 6 symptoms from the above list needs to be present • some symptoms must be present before age 7 • symptoms must occur in at least 2 settings (eg, home and school) • symptoms interfere with school, family or social situations • symptoms are not better explained by another cause more familiar symptoms could include: restlessness, taking risks; low self-esteem; not getting along with friends or classmates; difficulty staying organized/on track or completing homework or chores and easily frustrated/angered. Having some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean the diagnosis is adhd. Other conditions can have similar symptoms, so it is extremely important to see a profession who can properly diagnose adhd. There is no simple test for adhd. To determine if adhd is present, the doctor may: 1) ask about current and past symptoms - so a questionnaire may be requested; 2) ask if there is a family history of adhd; 3) ask if there is a history of substance abuse (drugs or alcohol) or other mental health problems (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc); 4) review school records to find out about symptoms that may have been present through school; 5) ask parents, teachers and/or significant others about current and past symptoms - and maybe ask them to fill out a questionnaire; 6) ask about medical, behavioral & developmental history; 7) perform a physical exam; 8) ask about social, occupational family and general abilities/function. Adhd is not a myth. It is a neurobiological medical condition that can be treated. Adhd is not a problem that only affects little kids. It is a lifelong disorder. Adhd is not a problem that only affects males. Today we know that many females have adhd. Individuals with adhd have real challenges which can occur academically, socially, occupationally and/or with relationships. Adhd can affect some or every part of someone's life. Adhd frequently is present throughout a lifespan. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated coexisting conditions are complex disorders which require a multimodal treatment program. A comprehensive treatment program is essential to assist the individual and the family. The purpose of this treatment is always to improve the quality of life of the individual and the family. A coordinated program between home, work (school) and leisure activities is essential to success. While effective in treating some symptoms in many patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, medication alone is not the answer. A behavioral component that includes both counseling and training in self-control (behavior), self-esteem and cognitive strategies is essential to success. Working with a coach as well as involvement in parent/family education, behavior management training and family based treatment are also integral components of a multimodal treatment plan. Optimal treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and its coexisting conditions is of paramount importance for positive outcome to be achieved. A wonderful resource is chadd. See below for several other resources with their web addresses.

Not A Good Idea: Adderall (dextroamphetamine and racemic amphetamine) is a prescription medication that does have side effects, particularly when used in someone with no medical need and unsupervised.Bad choice.

C A U T I O N !: In a recent position paper from the american academy of neurology cautioned against the prescription of "cognitive enhancing agents" [medications 2 sharpen thinking/attention/memory] in "typical" healthy students. Read summary here: http://bit.Ly/16niytn.

Define "danger": There are a variety of potential health issues for anyone taking such meds. Triggering a frank psychosis is rare but can happen. This med is also a Class 2 controlled substance. Possession & or use without a valid prescription can end up with a drug conviction and a stint in prison. Be leery of feel good meds, some have a higher risk than others.