ADHD diagnosis is extremely easy to get. There are websites that will link you with a doctor that will "diagnose" you remotely by giving you a questionnaire with extremely leading questions. Even with more reputable doctors it's easy: https://slatestarcodex.com/2017/12/28/adderall-risks-much-mo...
If you really want ADHD medication, you can get it today. The doctor will probably still start with atomoxetine (it's not a stimulant) at first, but then they'll transition you to stimulants after a couple of months if you ask for it.
Edit:
> How exactly is this supposed to work?
People with ADHD often have an irrational aversion to doing some tasks (e.g. paperwork or laundry) and have to actively trick themselves into doing them. TODO lists, automated voice reminders, and daily routines are some ways to do it.
Once a task is started, it's easier to keep rolling. Stimulants help to reduce this initial barrier, and they help with staying focused. They do NOT make you high in therapeutic doses.
I am in Canada. My family doctor apparently cannot do this, and has advised that a private specialist would be quite expensive (not that I'd know where to start looking anyway). I can't fathom that an online questionnaire would lead to legal access here to stimulant medications, considering that even things like SudaFed are controlled. And anyway if I am going to feel safe with a medication I don't want it prescribed on the basis of self-reporting on "extremely leading questions".
> will probably still start with atomoxetine (it's not a stimulant)
First I've heard of this one.
> How exactly is this supposed to work?
By "this" I indeed meant dealing with the "not diagnosed" hurdle.
I don't know how it works in Canada. In the US, it's not hard. For example, you can use https://www.donefirst.com/ to get started.
And once you get the initial prescription from a provider, it's much easier to keep renewing it going forward.
> I can't fathom that an online questionnaire would lead to legal access here to stimulant medications, considering that even things like SudaFed are controlled.
Nobody ever accused the US drug enforcement policy of being consistent and sane.
Canadian here. You can try booking an appointment with a provider specializing in ADHD on Maple (it's a telemedicine app). First appointment is a screening/intake appointment, if they feel you're likely to have ADHD or rather you might be a better fit for something else (e.g. anxiety), they'll schedule a follow-up appointment for that. Prices are pretty transparent on their app, but IIRC it's in the realm of a few hundred CAD for both appointments.
Here in Germany people can wait years to get an diagnosis. And I mean literal years.
And we are talking about an active process here of actively calling therapists, adding yourself to their wait lists and so on. There is no central system. If you have the money to pay privately you can get it done in months but it is a lot more involved than a simple questionnaire either way.
And even if you have an official diagnosis this does NOT get you medication. You got to find a psychiatrist first. So back to square one. Call ten, twenty, thirty, forty people, maybe get an appointment in a few months.
The US is pretty progressive when it comes to mental health all things considered. Most people in this world are not so lucky.
If you really want ADHD medication, you can get it today. The doctor will probably still start with atomoxetine (it's not a stimulant) at first, but then they'll transition you to stimulants after a couple of months if you ask for it.
Edit:
> How exactly is this supposed to work?
People with ADHD often have an irrational aversion to doing some tasks (e.g. paperwork or laundry) and have to actively trick themselves into doing them. TODO lists, automated voice reminders, and daily routines are some ways to do it.
Once a task is started, it's easier to keep rolling. Stimulants help to reduce this initial barrier, and they help with staying focused. They do NOT make you high in therapeutic doses.