Students borrow ADHD pills from pals to focus better

Since the exam fever is around the corner, parents and students ask shrinks for the study drugs that can help them to focus in their studies. It is believed that some students ask pills even to their friends with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), the shrink claims some students even consume ayurvedic drugs to increase the concentration during the exam time.

When it comes to examinations, it is commonly known that students prefer constantly consuming coffee or eating more chocolates that gives them a rush of energy which gives them a kick or helps them stay awake for their studies whole night. But the shrinks observes the trend where students are also asking their friends pills who are having ADHD or ADD.

Dr Seema Hingorany, clinical psychologists, said, "We have an in-house psychiatrists that gives medication to ADHD and ADD children. Parents do come to me asking that their children cannot concentrate in studies, so can you prescribe some pills. I straight tell them that I am not a psychiatrists so cannot prescribe medicine. And first thing how do I know their child is having ADHD, as one symptom like not concentrating in studies is not a symptom of ADHD."

Like parents ask psychristist for the pills for their kids, it is also observed that the trend is also observed that some students do ask pills from their friends who have ADHD or ADD to increase their concentration during exams. But that is not right claim psychiatrists.

Adding further, Hingoranny said, "It is true that some students ask their friends who have ADHD or ADD for their pills to increase concentration during exams. But that is not right. On other hand, coffee, chocolate or carbonated drinks are stimulant and can make students more hyper. It is not actually good for health to consume. Have healthy diet and good sleep during exam."

While some students ask for the pills from their friends with ADHD, some students prefer consuming ayurvedic medicines to boost their concentration during exams.

A renowned psychiatrist LH Hiranandani hospital, Powai, Dr. Harish Shetty, said, "Yes all the time we get the parents requesting to prescribe medicines to increase concentration of their child. We generally refuse. To increase concentration we ask them to sleep better, eat on time and exercise and we help them with lot of relaxation exercises that improves concentration. If they are intensely anxious then mild anti anxiety medication from the family doctor can help the person. But it should be given under the supervision only if necessary. Now there are lot of students who take modlert or modafinil (Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent) drug, some take lot of ayurvedic medicines as they believe that can help them. But there is nothing that can boost memory."

He further added, "Sometimes vitamins pills can be helpful to improve concentration. People believe hot up of tea or coffee can help you stay awake and study, but it is dangerous and can cause insomnia. It can cause sleep on the next day at the time of exam."

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated that 5 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 illegally used prescription psychotherapeutic drugs like Adderall and Ritalin. Prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin are designed to give users increased concentration focus. They are also prescribed to ADD and ADHD children.

In Mumbai most of the time ADHD or ADD children are prescribes Methyle phenindate or atomoxetin medicines.

Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Methylphenidate (trade names Concerta, Methylin, Medikinet, Ritalin, Equasym XL, Quillivant XR) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the phenethylamine class that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).