Is it possible to be ADHD diagnosed in China?

[Leftish]

Need some help. I suffer ADHD. I'm fully confident. All sympthoms coincide and appeared in childhood. Passed several tests and all of it points to ADHD without any doubt. Have some difficulties with studies and self esteem and in all I feel I'd achieve more in my life, getting ability to pay more time to the things interested to me and to concentrate on matters as normal people are. Unfortunately in 3rd world countries like the one I come from, doctors don't admit ADHD as a disease at all. And there are no prospects in next couple of years to go to developed western country with normal doctors to get my diagnosis. Is it possible to get ADHD diagnose in China and how to?

Or maybe I'd save time and power , if I merely buy medication (ritalin) in online drugstore? But I don't know solid ones and beware of fraud.

Any ideas?

[Shelley]

What is ADHD?

[roddy]

Ask Uncle Google

[abcdefg]

It seems you are really asking two related questions: 1. Can you get a doctor in China to confirm your self diagnosis? 2. Will a Chinese doctor prescribe the medicine you think you need?

I'd say it is unlikely on the mainland, with the possible exceptions of some expat clinic in a first tier city like Shanghai or Beijing.

The topic has been discussed here before. You might find it helpful to do a search. Start here: http://www.chinese-f...hina-rx-needed/

[kdavid]

Awhile ago I watched a great Ted Talk by Sir Ken Robinson titled, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?"

The premise is that schools are becoming more out of touch with how to deal with the individual needs of children. By requiring children with particular talents to fit into a standard cookie-cutter mold, schools are killing creativity.

Anyway, at one point he talks about a young girl in school who fidgeted a lot in class and had difficulty focusing (this was before "ADHD" was an available condition). It turns out this girl, with the guidance of her parents, went on to become a successful dancer, which in turn led to a successful career in choreography.

He then says that had "ADHD" been an available "condition" at the time, teachers/parents may have pushed to have the fidgety girl medicated instead of finding a suitable outlet for her talents, which likely would have dulled her energy, and thwarted any potential career in dance.

The talk

, if anyone is interested. While ADHD may be a real problem, it seems to me that too many parents (and students) use this as a crutch to excuse poor performance. In reality, a "sufferer" of ADHD may just really need less sugar and more creative outlets for excess energy.

[Shelley]

After consulting Uncle Google (good advice Roddy) it seems this is a disorder usually associated with children. i wonder what age the OP is and if there is something else he could have.

I have no medical training at all, but I must agree with kdavid.

Is there no alternitive for you?

Please seek professinal help.

This is forum for Chinese learners and while I think we all try to help with questions concerning China and chinese i feel this question should really be put to an expert medical person. ( please excuse me if i am unaware if any members are medical professionals)

[gato]

.

[imron]

This is forum for Chinese learners

And for people wanting to discuss aspects about living in China. Regardless of what anyone feels about what the OP is trying to do, it's a question that falls under the scope of the forums. If not, it would have never made it past the moderation queue for first time posters.

please excuse me if i am unaware if any members are medical professionals

That would be abcdefg.

[tooironic]

It is just me or is abcdefg the only one who has answered the OP's question?

[abcdefg]

Yes, I am a medical doctor, recently retired. ADHD is outside the scope of my expertise, but generally speaking, it's hazardous to try to diagnose oneself and prescribe for oneself.

[Meng Lelan]

I have a teenage son recently diagnosed with ADHD, and this is not associated only with children, nor does it become apparent right from childhood. Ritalin is not the only medication for ADHD, there are many medications on the market for ADHD.Even if you decide to get yourself Ritalin, it might end up being not compatible for you. And let me tell you something else, some of those medications for ADHD have a very high potential for abuse and misuse. I am seeing this happen among the high schoolers I teach and I don't think I really want to discuss this in great detail.

You really need to have a psychiatrist diagnose and prescribe and monitor for you, whether you are in or out of China.

[Flying Pigeon]

Adding to what abcdefg wrote . . . .

You could look at some expat magazines and websites to find listings of hospitals and clinics.

http://www.thebeijinger.com/directory/Community/Mental-Health-Services

Good luck!

[wedge]

"While ADHD may be a real problem, it seems to me that too many parents (and students) use this as a crutch to excuse poor performance. In reality, a "sufferer" of ADHD may just really need less sugar and more creative outlets for excess energy."

Spoken like a true non-sufferer of ADHD. While this statement may be true, I think it's just as important to recognize that there are many real cases of ADHD out there and sufferers and their families don't deserve for others to make judgements about them. This is not only unfair, but this attitude, by both doctors and nondoctors, leads to cases of underdiagnosis. For every example like the one you gave, there's another (I believe many more), where not being diagnosed led to a worse outcome.

To the OP, Hong Kong may be an option. There is a large community of western-educated doctors. Stimulant medication is heavily controlled there too but ritalin, Ritalin XR, and concerta are available.

[ex-Hongtongxian]

ADHD (多动症) is not unknown in China. Here's a page of information:

http://baike.baidu.com/view/125377.htm

On medications, it says: 治疗多动症常用的西药主要是一些中枢神经兴奋药，而不选用镇静剂。现常用的中枢兴奋剂有：哌甲酯(即利他林)、苯丙胺、匹莫林等均有一定的副作用，会使患儿出现食欲和睡眠不等程度的不良反应，故很多医疗机构都不采用西药治疗。

Diet and exercise can play a role. There are also traditional Chinese medicines (远志、石菖蒲、龟板、茯苓、龙骨、鹿角、熟地、山药).

Of course the first step is to consult a doctor, and many cities have clinics with western-educated doctors. Some hospitals, including Sir Run Run Shaw in Hangzhou, have a separate department of English-speaking staff to treat foreigners – more expensive but little to no waiting in line.

[Leftish]

Yes, I am a medical doctor, recently retired. ADHD is outside the scope of my expertise, but generally speaking, it's hazardous to try to diagnose oneself and prescribe for oneself.

e.g. Person feel pain in his leg and feels difficult to move. He says: "I suppose I broke, y leg. How do you think, can I find someone in this area who put my leg in plaster or better don't waste my time and find the way to it myself?" Is it self-diagnosing and is it bad too?

The talk

, if anyone is interested. While ADHD may be a real problem, it seems to me that too many parents (and students) use this as a crutch to excuse poor performance. In reality, a "sufferer" of ADHD may just really need less sugar and more creative outlets for excess energy.

Talking like coarse russian muzhik. Sort of fighting ignorance. ADHD is scientificaly confirmed. I suppose this kind of people just afraid of competition growth from more talented, but less concentrated people whom people like you prefer to call lazy than to admit their sickness and let to undergo a cure.

[Leftish]

wedge, Dean A. Swanson, ex-Hongtongxian, thank you for the info and advices