Adhd

[Medglory]

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I'm a biochem major, very much interested by the MD/PhD program, or just a PhD in a pharmaceutical science. My problem is that some issues dramatically affected my college education. The more I try, and the result is always the same. It pisses off to see that my results are far far away from reflecting my real potential. I have no focus at all, neither in life, nor in college. I went to a college psychiatrist, and ADHD testing would cost me 800 dollars. I heard that medication is even more expensive. They say they don't take insurance, and I am unable of paying all that money.
Anyone in my situation? Any advice on how I can overcome this issue, and finally have a normal life?
My other question is that if I get treated, and my situation and my grades improve, would that help me for graduate school admission?

This situation hurts me a lot, and it's been a lifetime, so any help or advice will be more than welcome, thank you !

 

[StIGMA]

I'm a biochem major, very much interested by the MD/PhD program, or just a PhD in a pharmaceutical science. My problem is that some issues dramatically affected my college education. The more I try, and the result is always the same. It pisses off to see that my results are far far away from reflecting my real potential. I have no focus at all, neither in life, nor in college. I went to a college psychiatrist, and ADHD testing would cost me 800 dollars. I heard that medication is even more expensive. They say they don't take insurance, and I am unable of paying all that money.
Anyone in my situation? Any advice on how I can overcome this issue, and finally have a normal life?
My other question is that if I get treated, and my situation and my grades improve, would that help me for graduate school admission?

This situation hurts me a lot, and it's been a lifetime, so any help or advice will be more than welcome, thank you !

This website is not for medical advice. You should be aware, however, that you don't need a specific diagnosis (eg: ADHD) to get prescribed ritalin. Some primary care doctors will prescribe it if they think it will be to the patient's benefit (eg: a family practice doctor may do this at your student health center). Go see another physician that accepts your insurance. It is also in your interest, if you see a psychiatrist, to get a thorough workup, as a lack of focus may not be due to ADHD but rather another psychiatric or non-psychiatric condition.

To your last question: If you grades improve (we don't know what they currently are), then yes, you will be in a better position for graduate school admission. If you have multiple semesters of a good GPA (>3.7), this can help offset earlier semesters of poor GPA (<3.0). See the FAQ on this forum to what constitutes a good MD/PhD application. The GPA/research qualifications for MD/PhD are higher than for a comparable PhD program.

Grades and future career do not encompass the entirety of a 'normal life'. We are unaware of what other issues affected your college education, but you can still have a normal life even if you do not pursue a PhD or an MD/PhD. A drug in any case won't make everything normal for you, although it may help you get on the right track. If you find yourself very stressed (or unfocused) day to day, make a real effort to eat healthy, work out a few times a week, keep a normal sleep schedule (>7hrs/night at the same sleep/wake times), and spend time with other people (social interaction). Figure out what is important for you in life, for now and in the future (make a list). Make another list of what you do day-to-day that helps you reach those goals (eg: good sleep habits) and another list of things you do everyday that prevents you from reaching those goals (bad sleep habits, poor focus on work, reading studentdoctor forums too much, etc.). Work on eliminating the negatives in your life- and it seems you are making an effort in this regard by seeking medical advice.

Also, and I write this for your benefit, your English/grammar is not great. It will benefit you now and in the future, in whatever career you choose, to master basic grammar rules and learn English to a higher level.

 

[Medglory]

Thank you very much for your advice, I really appreciate !
Focusing has been a problem for me since I was very little. Before college, it was easy to manage since it wasn't very difficult for me.
Science is the only thing that will make me happy in life, I don't picture myself in anything else than science. Graduate school is kind of necessary for me.
Thank you for your advice concerning my grammar. I am working on it, and I improved a lot since my mother language is French, and I have been learning English for two years now.

Good luck!

 

[Azure1]

Go see another psychiatrist, possibly out of the college. GPs, in my opinion, should NOT be prescribing ritalin willy-nilly.