Since I saw it written on here before, ADHD medication (prescribed) and scores

[onedirection]

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I saw someone post on this site from way back saying that Adderall/ritalin/vyvanse whatnot improve your scores...is unethical...blah blah

well I have ADHD, I was diagnosed when I was really young. I'm on a rather low dosage

I just wanted to say that my scores have actually been lower on my medication than not (except in PS, where it's roughly the same). I was surprised actually

I assumed I would do better on my medication. I realize I do finish everything faster when I'm on my adderall and I "feel" oh that was easy, but I end up getting more questions wrong. I get some random delusional confidence with it. Whereas without it I feel like I'm struggling but I do better. It's strange, but I guess I'm actually thinking more without it whereas I am more robotic almost in choosing answers on it...well I wouldn't say robotic, I tend to fall for answers that look nice when I'm using my medication

Regardless, although part of me is freaking out about the decision, I don't think I'll be taking my meds the day of the actual MCAT

But if anyone's interested

PS: Roughly no difference
VR: Two points better without
BS: Three points better without

Compared over 10 CBTs from AAMC, TPR, GS, Kaplan; as well as tests that i've built using TPRH SW, TBR, EK 1001 Bio, and EK 101

Again this is not some end all be all

Take it as you will
It's just an n = 1; it's just what I saw with myself thus far. I just thought it was interesting

 

[mbaumann1123]

I've been on ADD medication since I was 13 (11 years). It helps me focus better when I'm studying but I fall apart during tests since it tends to increase my anxiety. It's a trade off. Either way there will always be people who think its a cheat or copout. Don't sweat it, no one knows what goes on in your head but yourself.

 

[Forkit]

Tell your doc to raise your dose up. It's very obvious that you have severe ADHD. Just look at your post history or the type of threads you make. Mods please ban him, he's probably a troll. Just skim through his "journey to a 45 score diary" and you will LOL

 

[Forkit]

I've been on ADD medication since I was 13 (11 years). It helps me focus better when I'm studying but I fall apart during tests since it tends to increase my anxiety. It's a trade off. Either way there will always be people who think its a cheat or copout. Don't sweat it, no one knows what goes on in your head but yourself.

Wow 11 YEARS?!! How do you feel if you forget to take your med on a random day? Do you feel withdrawals? How long have you been on the same dose? Do you ever intend on stopping?

Whether or not it's "cheating" is irrelevant. Those complaining have no idea what a crutch ADHD can be in an academic setting. Even if somebody gets them illegally (which I strongly discourage for pre-meds given that if you get caught it's bye-bye to your dreams), they need to understand this is the real world where cheating is inevitable, deal with it.

 

[mrh125]

People who say that vyvanse and adderall and such are unethical either are just talking about abusers or have no idea what ADD/ADHD is really like to deal with. I have ADD, as well, and my medicine just helps me stay calm and focused. My only bit of advice is be careful about not taking about your medicine. I know I'd be super distracted, sluggish, forgetful, and probably a few hours late for the MCAT if I didn't, for example. It's also very good that you recognize how your mind works on and at off your meds, so you can just adjust yourself accordingly.

 

[mbaumann1123]

I am highly addicted to it. I've spent years slowly cutting my dose back since my pediatrician put me on 72mg of concerta when I was hardly 13, with no warning or information on what was going to happen 10 years down the road. I don't know what I believe about ADHD and medications for it anymore. It's a serious stimulant, and it makes anyone who takes it focus and want to work, not just those with ADHD so I just don't know anymore. I know that I would like to function normally without it, and have been working towards that goal for a long time. It scares me knowing this drug is frequently given to 5 year olds. I wish I had never started this drug, but at the same time I admit it drastically helped me scholastically. But essentially wouldn't it provide the same benefits to anyone who took it, even those without ADHD? Does that make it a moral issue? I don't know anymore

 

[bear2roo]

Im also on concerta--I tried to go one day (my break day) w/out it and one half-study day w/out it. I've been diagnosed with a mild case of it since I was 6. I'm the very forgetful type. But I started concerta when I was 19--my parents didn't believe in mental illnesses when I was first diagnosed.

In terms of studying w/out concerta, it was like major distraction and I felt extremely hazy. It was like working in my own time frame and not giving a **** about what was urgent & what needed to be done. I got through like maybe 10 EK problems while being constantly distracted and that took like 1is hour or 2 hours.

In terms of socializing & everyday conduct, I became the most oblivious forgetful person on earth. If I had stuff to be done, I would either (a) forget it (b) do it whenever I wanted at my own leisurely pace or (c) try to do it then get majorly sidetracked. I also would not follow conversations as swiftly or well. Now I remember why I was such an awk teenager lol

 

[DocMC]

I "may or may not" have tried it for MCAT studying. It "may or may not" have been pretty distracting and felt as if one could not critically think.

 

[gumdrops]

People who say that vyvanse and adderall and such are unethical either are just talking about abusers or have no idea what ADD/ADHD is really like to deal with. I have ADD, as well, and my medicine just helps me stay calm and focused. My only bit of advice is be careful about not taking about your medicine. I know I'd be super distracted, sluggish, forgetful, and probably a few hours late for the MCAT if I didn't, for example. It's also very good that you recognize how your mind works on and at off your meds, so you can just adjust yourself accordingly.

I have ADD. It was diagnosed far too late and I'm still suffering the consequences of it. I would experience all of what you described in that post without my medication. Honestly...I wonder sometimes if I'm cut out for medical school by virtue of my ADD. 🙁 It's depressing.

 

[gumdrops]

Tell your doc to raise your dose up. It's very obvious that you have severe ADHD. Just look at your post history or the type of threads you make. Mods please ban him, he's probably a troll. Just skim through his "journey to a 45 score diary" and you will LOL

Ah, that thread seemed too long to read but now I'm curious. Thanks for fueling my procrastination further. 😉