College daughter lying to get Adderol prescription - ADD / ADHD Message Board

Dixie Chick · 06-26-2004, 09:13 PM

My 19-year old daughter claims she is ADD all of a sudden. She has started seeing a psychiatrist at school who prescribed Adderall, as well as Lexapro. I can see that she has had problems with depression but the rest is bull, in my opinion.

She started by taking an Adderall pill that she got from other students when she needed to study for finals. They helped her concentrate and get a lot done.

Now she claims she needs it all the time. She showed me some of the papers that the psych. wanted her to fill out. One of them was a paper for her mother (me) to fill out about how she was when she was between 6-10 years old. My daughter had already filled it out and forged my signature. She just wanted to see if I agreed with what she had put. Well, I didn't agree with any of the symptoms she had checked. I have never noticed anything ADD in her. When she was that age, she had perfect attendance at school year after year and she has never had anything less than an A all her life. I never noticed her being distracted in any way.

She attended very unchallenging rural schools all her life so she has been bored. My brother was ADD and he had lots of problems at school. Daughter is nothing like that.

Can a psychiatrist be fooled this easily? Do you think my daughter could be getting the Adderall prescription just to make money selling the pills to others? I'm beginning to wonder and worry.

dietcokefreak · 06-26-2004, 10:32 PM

I would be worried as well. Seems to be drug-seeking behavior. The fact that she filled out a paper that was intended for you and forged your name, as well as lied about the questions... is a big red flag. With her being 19, you don't necessarily have access to her medical records and a doctor is not legally obligated to discuss her medical issues with a parent as she is considered an adult. (at least here it would be anyway) This does not mean, however, that you couldn't call the doctors office and tell them about your concerns!

Good luck

brainf0g · 06-28-2004, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixie Chick

My 19-year old daughter claims she is ADD all of a sudden. She has started seeing a psychiatrist at school who prescribed Adderall, as well as Lexapro. I can see that she has had problems with depression but the rest is bull, in my opinion.

She started by taking an Adderall pill that she got from other students when she needed to study for finals. They helped her concentrate and get a lot done.

Now she claims she needs it all the time. She showed me some of the papers that the psych. wanted her to fill out. One of them was a paper for her mother (me) to fill out about how she was when she was between 6-10 years old. My daughter had already filled it out and forged my signature. She just wanted to see if I agreed with what she had put. Well, I didn't agree with any of the symptoms she had checked. I have never noticed anything ADD in her. When she was that age, she had perfect attendance at school year after year and she has never had anything less than an A all her life. I never noticed her being distracted in any way.

She attended very unchallenging rural schools all her life so she has been bored. My brother was ADD and he had lots of problems at school. Daughter is nothing like that.

Can a psychiatrist be fooled this easily? Do you think my daughter could be getting the Adderall prescription just to make money selling the pills to others? I'm beginning to wonder and worry.

It's VERY possible that she has AD/HD that has gone unnoticed until now, especially since you said your brother has it. AD/HD is genetic, and just because she did well in school doesn't mean she doesn't have it. Many people that have AD/HD do well in school, and there are also different severities of the disorder as well. It's very possible your brother may have a severe case and she does not.

Since AD/HD runs in your biological family and she also exhibits symptoms of depression then there is even a greater chance of her having it. Her depression may be indirectly related to her AD/HD.

What would lead you to the conclusion of her obtaining a prescription in order to "sell it"? Does she have a history of this type of behavior?

If not, it sounds like you may have denial about the disorder or that you have some type of anger towards the disorder. If true, is it possible that the reason she filled it out for you is because she knew your responses may be biased?

Vintage Wine · 06-28-2004, 10:15 AM

It's easy for parents to be in denial about this. ADD/ADHD sometimes doesn't present itself in girls until they are college age, if not older. I was in my 30's before I was officially diagnosed. Spent years and years on anti-depressants,much to no avail. Adderall was the one and only thing that truly helped me.

At least she's seeing a doctor. Ask her if she was tested by the DSM IV. If indeed, she is truly ADD, then please be supportive. It's a difficult disorder to live with and the last thing we ADDers need is more criticism.

If not, it sounds like you may have denial about the disorder or that you have some type of anger towards the disorder. If true, is it possible that the reason she filled it out for you is because she knew your responses may be biased?[/QUOTE]

Vintage Wine · 06-28-2004, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brainf0g

If not, it sounds like you may have denial about the disorder or that you have some type of anger towards the disorder. If true, is it possible that the reason she filled it out for you is because she knew your responses may be biased?

It is very easy for parents to be in denial about this. As if it was something they should have "seen" or "fixed" in the child. According to the book Women with ADD, it often doesn't present itself in girls until they are in college or even later. The demands of college, working, marriage, etc., expose the underlying ADD.

I am ADD but wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 30's. I was also a straight-A student, honor roll, loved to read books, but I was also in a very calm, controlled, structured environment from grades 1-12. I was however, always easily distracted and was labeled as "emotional', "sensitive", "immature". When all it was was frustration due to an inability to focus and concentrate!!! College was a nightmare for me. Working was a nightmare for me. The only thing that helped me feel I had any hope was Adderall.

Now, if she is exhibiting true drug seeking behavior, yes, stay on her. Count her Adderall pills if you have to. Schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist or neurologist of your choice and get a 2nd opinion.

But if she is indeed truly ADD, she needs the support and positivity of her family. I do not have that. And it's been a very tough road, too.