****Ritalin*****

[prince_moses]

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[Brickhouse]

Why don't you go see a doctor to find out if you meet the criteria for something that would actually warrant taking Ritalin. I am currently coordinating a drug study at UCLA and one of our study drugs is Ritalin. It's not without side effects, controversy; it's not something you just try because you're having some trouble in school.

 

[bella_dottoressa]

You're not gonna get Ritalin unless you have a diagnosable condition that warrants the pxn, like ADHD....I don't think being stressed out in school is going to warrant a pxn for a drug like Ritalin, but if it does let me know 😉

 

[neurodoc]

I wouldn't advise it, for two reasons: 1) you'd need a legitimate psych diagnosis to justify the prescriptione.g. ADHD; and, 2) without such a diagnosis, you'd be guilty of a crime if you used the drug, which is DEA schedule II...just as if you decided to use methamphetamine to "treat" your perceived cognitive disorder.

Med school apcoms are sure to look askance at: 1) a disgnosed psych disorder; and 2) drug abuse.

 

[Gleevec]

Originally posted by prince_moses
Hi everyone, I'm currently a first year student in Canada. I'm stressed out about school, u know chem, bio, and stuff like that a freind of mine suggested Ritalin to help me concentrate some more. I know its sounds terrible but i'm lost, any advice?

Dont even bother with ritalin. All these so-called remedies for classes are all expensive illegal crap. There are plenty of side effects to all these drugs, many that arent even fully characterized for long-term users. The fact is, getting a B in one of your classes looks INFINITELY better to adcoms than getting busted for illegal drug use does.

And also, don't you want to know that the grades you earned are your own, and not the product of some external force? As bad as your intro classes may be, med school will be much worse, as will residency and fellowship. Do you want to keep taking more potent drugs to concentrate at each stage? Its just not worth it.

 

[ckent]

Ritalin doesn't treat stress at all. your doctor is more likely to put you on an antidepressant then ritalin. I'd reccomend chilling out and speaking with a counselor if you are really stressed.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

You need some Valium. Yummy!

 

[TTSD]

*cough* Amphetamines *cough* :-D j/p

 

[ForensicPath]

The key is to just not be stressed out. Classes are just that, they are only classes. You have to keep things in perspective. If you have a particularly busy/bad week, make sure you have a particularly good weekend. My philosophy is that if I work hard during the week then I deserve to relax and have fun on the weekends. The fact that you are a first year student means that you still need time to adjust. My adjustment actually went the other way. During my freshman year, I didn't worry about anything and just partied all the time. My grades definitely suffered (3.04!! 😱) Get yourself in a rhythm and doing work will become second nature. But the key for me has always been to find time to get my mind off of school. There is no need for drugs in a situation like this.

 

[ironey]

Originally posted by prince_moses
Hi everyone, I'm currently a first year student in Canada. I'm stressed out about school, u know chem, bio, and stuff like that a freind of mine suggested Ritalin to help me concentrate some more. I know its sounds terrible but i'm lost, any advice?

First off, Ritalin is quickly going out of favor as a treatment for ADHD (or ADD). There are new drugs on the market designed specifically for those disorders.

Second, proper diagnosis is necessary to legally obtain psychiatric medications (hopefully). If you feel that your current emotional condition is "abnormal", then you should seek treatment. Most universities have counseling services that are completely confidential. I'd start there.

Last off: problems with concentration can be attributed to many disorders (besides just having trouble coping with stress): anxiety, depression, ADD, etc. None of those disorders can be treated properly by medication alone. They all require behavioral modification counseling for the most effective results.

You're not going to be asked to disclose phsychiatric treatment to medical school application committees - at least I've never seen an app that asks for medical history. The most you will ever need to disclose is any medical or psychiatric condition that may affect your competence as a medical professional when you apply for licensing in some states. Depression and/or anxiety are hardly likely to stand in your way of being licensed. I read somewhere that almost 50% of female physicians have been treated for depression at some time or another.

Good luck.

 

[evines]

Ritalin is not a drug for stress. It MIGHT help you concentrate, and it will probably have side effects. How will a drug for concentration help you with stress?
Bottom line . . . your friend is an idiot.😀

 

[prince_moses]

I just wanna say thanx to all the people who gave great advice, and because of this I feel that Ritalin is not the answer I will just have to suck it up and study harder.

THANX:

 

[indo]

Originally posted by prince_moses
Hi everyone, I'm currently a first year student in Canada. I'm stressed out about school, u know chem, bio, and stuff like that a freind of mine suggested Ritalin to help me concentrate some more. I know its sounds terrible but i'm lost, any advice?

study harder like everyone else. you'll learn to get very good at it!