I have been suffering from serious difficulties in concentrating to my studies for my whole childhood, but never been actually diagnosed for anything or prescribed any ADD drugs. For my undergraduate studies I managed to just push it through with OK grades, but I always knew I could do better.

For my final year I tested Ritalin for 1 month at 30mg/d for the whole study period before my final exams, and I had great results. My studying was a lot more effective and I was significantly more concentrated at my exams. Ritalin worked great for concentration, but didn't come without side effects: I experienced jitteriness, headaches and some insomnia. I was hoping to try Dexedrine or Adderall next, as these are reported to have fewer side effects.

Now I am doing my post-graduate studies in Bangkok and having an incredibly difficult time concentrating to studying, e.g. reading post-graduate level journal articles, which are not only very complicated but in English which is not my first language. I am hoping to have a doctor prescribe me one of these drugs to help me with my concentration.

I have read some threads on here about these ADD drugs, and I've understood that you can only get them via hospitals? Is it easy to get a prescription for these? Also I'm wondering if only Ritalin is available in Thailand, or also Dexedrine and Adderall.

Thanks in advance guys hope I can get some advice on this.

Thee drugs are only obtainable from a hospital. Prescriptions are not easy to get. you will have to see a psychiatrist specializing in ADD and possibly undergo some tests. Especially as an adult and with no prior medical records showing an ADD diagnosis or treatment, it will not be easy. Many Thai doctors believe these disorders occur only in children. So you would have to find one with experience in ADD in adults. Manoram Hospital would probably be the best bet for that but is not cheap.

Adderall and dexedrine are completely banned substances in Thailand, even for medical use, and penalties for possession are stiff.

Totally aside from the issue of where/how to get ADD meds is the question of whether they are in fact what you need and what the nature of your concentration problem actually is. From what you say you have never been diagnosed as having ADD, and ADD is not the only thing that can cause difficulty with concentration. So can anxiety and a variety of other problems.

I think you would be best served by having a full diagnostic work up from skilled professionals to identify why the problems concentrating and then treat accordingly and suggest approaching it like that rather than specifically seeking to be prescribed Ritalin/Concerta. For that too, suggest Manarom

http://www.manarom.com/