the MCAT, ADHD, and Ritalin... question!

[OrangeJuice77]

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Hi Everyone,

Long time reader, first time poster. I have always just read every ones advice, but for the first time, I have a question!

First: some background information:

I was diagnosed with ADHD in high school, and I just always used coping strategies to get through tests and classes rather than being put on medication. Although my IQ is significantly above average, I had a lot of difficulty with concentrating on standardized tests, such as the SAT, but did not opt for testing accommodations even though I have a 504 that would allow it, because, whether right or wrong, I was in high school and I was embarrassed.

Throughout college I definitely have put an enormous amount of hours into studying to get A's in classes due to my ADHD. And even though I do have difficulty concentrating, my college testing time constraints haven't been too pressing, so I've still managed to get a cumulative 3.92 GPA, still without using my 504.

So... basically, I started NOT being able to over-compensate for my ADHD once I started studying for the MCAT. I've been studying for 12 hrs a day for 3 months, and I haven't been able to get a practice test score above a 25. I know the material, I just can't seem to focus/keep my mind together for the exams. My psychiatrist has finally convinced me (after years of trying) to take Ritalin (low dose) and try it for a few practice tests/ and hopefully for the MCAT.

My question is -- for those of you that have ADHD and have taken Ritalin/Adderall for the MCAT--- did you think it helped? My Doctor said that even though my test is in a few weeks I will still see significant results because Ritalin doesn't require the "build up" effect like Strattera does. So -- I am NOT looking for medical advice here -(I have a perfectly good Psychiatrist who takes care of that), I just wanted to know anyone with ADHD's experience with taking their legally prescribed stimulants for the MCAT. Did it heighten your anxiety? Were you able to focus for all 5 hours? Did you have to deal with a "come down" effect or did you're doctor adjust your dosage?

Just wondering. By the way -- I'm only looking for the opinion of people who have ADHD or are knowledgeable regarding it. Please everyone else, keep your opinions regarding ADHD, Ritalin, and the MCAT' to yourself.

Respectfully,

Orange Juice

 

[switcheroo]

For whatever it's worth...

I was a PhD student in clinical psychology before switching to medicine, and I spent some time studying ADHD. The way I see it, by not taking Ritalin, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage for the MCAT. Your brain is simply wired a little differently, and this difference makes it difficult for you to perform to your full potential. If it were me, and I had the opportunity to mitigate the effects of this disorder (a disorder I never asked for, nor could prevent, I might point out), I would do it. Especially since this is your whole future on the line.

 

[Evergrey]

Hey switcheroo, I'm not personally interested in clinical psychology but I have quite a few friends that are. If you wouldn't mind sharing, why did you switch from the PhD to the MD?

 

[switcheroo]

Hey switcheroo, I'm not personally interested in clinical psychology but I have quite a few friends that are. If you wouldn't mind sharing, why did you switch from the PhD to the MD?

Two reasons: 1) As I got further and further in, I started to realize I found all the physical health courses (e.g., clinical neuropsychology, physiological psychology, etc.) much more interesting than the mental health courses; 2) If I had to do a single minute more of psychotherapy, I think I'd be the suicidal one, not my patient. I really don't like being a psychotherapist.

Plus, my research has all been done in the Faculty of Medicine at my university (my grad lab was in the dept. of psychiatry, not in psychology), and in interacting with all the MDs and clinical psych PhDs, it became very clear that I was much more interested in what physicians do, rather than what psychologists do. That said, I love love love research, so I might eventually finish a PhD, but in a different area.

 

[futureboy]

By the way -- I'm only looking for the opinion of people who have ADHD or are knowledgeable regarding it. Please everyone else, keep your opinions regarding ADHD, Ritalin, and the MCAT' to yourself.

This is an open forum, so you don't get to control what opinions get expressed in your thread.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Please everyone else, keep your opinions regarding ADHD, Ritalin, and the MCAT' to yourself.

Aren't you looking for opinions regarding these three things?!

 

[OrangeJuice77]

For whatever it's worth...

I was a PhD student in clinical psychology before switching to medicine, and I spent some time studying ADHD. The way I see it, by not taking Ritalin, you're putting yourself at a disadvantage for the MCAT. Your brain is simply wired a little differently, and this difference makes it difficult for you to perform to your full potential. If it were me, and I had the opportunity to mitigate the effects of this disorder (a disorder I never asked for, nor could prevent, I might point out), I would do it. Especially since this is your whole future on the line.

Really interesting...thank you for the feedback! 🙂

 

[eyang22286]

Aren't you looking for opinions regarding these three things?!

i think the op might have been referring to using those drugs outside a prescription basis

 

[buccsmf1]

you can study for 12 hours a day but can't focus on a 5 hour test? I don't understand how you could study 12 hours in a single day... but suddenly lose focus when you have to take a test.

You need to try it yourself first. See if it helps you focus while taking a practice test.... You also need to figure out what type of side-effects you get when you take it. I know adderall causes some people to go to the bathroom frequently. So if you end up getting that side effect... you certainly can't take while sitting down for a 5 hour test.

 

[majahops]

With all due respect, it doesn't sound like you've got a legit case of ADD. I'd not worry about it. Having LEGIT, bonafide ADD and getting a 3.92 in college is next to impossible without proper medication to regulate neurotransmitter deficiencies.

In other words, I don't think you need the ritilin for the test... and it will add to anxiety, of course, as it excites your sympathetic nervous system... but, if it makes you feel more comfortable... go ahead.

Best of luck to you either way.

 

[canepa]

If you decide to take it DO IT NOW!
Also, you may have different effects with different stimulants...ritalin may work, adderall might work, or one of the old ones from the 60's might. you don't know. ask ur shrink what he thinks about doing trials with them (don't know how far away ur mcat is).
Practice taking them with your MCAT, and remember that whatever effect it has re nervousness, excitability, or whatever will double. guaranteed.
also, u need to consider whatever caffeine intake is your normal...if you drink a lot (common for people with ADHD) it will amplify the medications effects. however, if you drink a lot of coffee and then suddenly stop you will get a MASSIVE headache.
yes, you will have to go to the bathroom much more frequently. bodies are different.
you must time this with your practice tests.
if it turns out that you need to drink a bit of coffee and end up taking the medication as well, only drink a bit. MAJORLY hydrate the day before. then, the morning of definitely restrict your caffeine intake. you may experience dry mouth. consider swirling a bit of water and then spit it out if your bladder is small. try to be the last one in the room, and use the bathroom as much as possible.
that said. YOU WILL BE EXTREMELY NERVOUS ON TEST DAY. and if you do not have experience with the medication, you may begin to question whther or not it is the medication. do not question yourself - you know what you know.
also, experiment with taking it after only one section of the test (like after PS or right before you go in)...by that time, you will be much more comfortable with being in the test environment, and the likelyhood of nervousness due to the medication may be mitigated.

 

[majahops]

now, THIS person has ADD.

If you decide to take it DO IT NOW!
Also, you may have different effects with different stimulants...ritalin may work, adderall might work, or one of the old ones from the 60's might. you don't know. ask ur shrink what he thinks about doing trials with them (don't know how far away ur mcat is).
Practice taking them with your MCAT, and remember that whatever effect it has re nervousness, excitability, or whatever will double. guaranteed.
also, u need to consider whatever caffeine intake is your normal...if you drink a lot (common for people with ADHD) it will amplify the medications effects. however, if you drink a lot of coffee and then suddenly stop you will get a MASSIVE headache.
yes, you will have to go to the bathroom much more frequently. bodies are different.
you must time this with your practice tests.
if it turns out that you need to drink a bit of coffee and end up taking the medication as well, only drink a bit. MAJORLY hydrate the day before. then, the morning of definitely restrict your caffeine intake. you may experience dry mouth. consider swirling a bit of water and then spit it out if your bladder is small. try to be the last one in the room, and use the bathroom as much as possible.
that said. YOU WILL BE EXTREMELY NERVOUS ON TEST DAY. and if you do not have experience with the medication, you may begin to question whther or not it is the medication. do not question yourself - you know what you know.
also, experiment with taking it after only one section of the test (like after PS or right before you go in)...by that time, you will be much more comfortable with being in the test environment, and the likelyhood of nervousness due to the medication may be mitigated.

 

[canepa]

HAHAHHA!!!!
and i was trying to be all objective....
guess i got off track while filling out AMCAS, talking on the phone, ordering a present for fathers day, and sending out my resume for jobs....

 

[bruceleehiiiyaa]

dude, dont take ritalin.... i was "diagnosed" with ADHD too, by an MD. i just used it to get the stuff so that i could study for exams. however, during exams, i never took it, because the adrenaline and pressure gave me a focus that NOTHING could compare to.

you dont have adhd. you are just lazy. its impossible to get a 3.92 in college if you have adhd without medication. what a joke.

ps - i don't really have add. lol. but if your really want the stuff, memorize symptoms and those "self-test" checklists you can find online. and regurg to the doc. but you'll just end up doing worse on the mcat....and thats less competition for the rest of us! woohoo!! so do it

pps - ritalin/adderall makes me serverly anxious, depressed, and sometimes even enraged. i hate talking to people while i'm on it. its ruined my sex life as well (atleast when i took it..i stopped a while back). also, it gives me the WORST sh*ts. esp with coffee. better than any laxative..i lose like 10 pounds lolol. and it makes me EXTREMELY EXTREMELY jittery when i'm under pressure (i.e such as while taking an exam). also, tiny noises such as keyboard clicking become EXTREMELY annoying. you'll kill yourself if you are on that stuff during MCAT day.

ppps - yes, i have a prescription.

 

[majahops]

Haha, quite a feat for an ADD'r. I'm lucky if I can talk and type at the same time.

HAHAHHA!!!!
and i was trying to be all objective....
guess i got off track while filling out AMCAS, talking on the phone, ordering a present for fathers day, and sending out my resume for jobs....

 

[Hoju]

You can study for 12 hours? Are you talking about quality studying or the amount of studying that a normal person could accomplish in a few hours? If you can get in 12 hours of quality studying, then ADD meds might not be much help to you. If it is nerves or some other reason that is causing you to screw up standardized test, then they will probably make it worse. No matter what, you are going to be nervous during the MCAT.

That being said, I am ADHD and took my meds the day of the test without problem. I was nervous, but this was not because of the meds. Whatever you decide, you need to stick to a set regimen. Don't decide to start taking them and stop right before the MCAT. That would be bad.

 

[Jolie South]

Closing thread. SDN is not the place to seek medical advice. Please talk to your PCP or appropriate physician.