Medicating

[Lilly18]

Hi, I have a very close friend who started taking some medication without a prescription. He thinks he possibly has adhd, and very well may be. We are close friends and he has told me he feels great when taking the medication. This worries me a little bit, he's not diagnosed with anything yet but he's medicating himself. I think he will be seeing a psychiatrist via skype in the next few weeks, I can tell he's worried about the appointment. Has anyone had experience with someone taking meds they probably shouldn't be taking? Experience with psych on Skype? Thankyou

[Croix]

Dear Lilly18~

I think I'd be worried about your friend too, but from the point of taking medication without diagnosis or supervision. This can lead to very unpredictable and harmful effects and when combined in a bad combination or with alcohol or illicit substances can do permanent damage or even be fatal.

Sadly the lure of 'feeling good' traps many.

Normally talking to a psychiatrist over telehealth is done in the referring doctor's (GP) premises, and often the doctor is there too. Sometimes this may be a psych nurse instead, and on rare occasions a person may be alone.

I'd strongly suggest that your freind tells the referring doctor of his taking meds and see where that goes. Any sensible doctor will see this has a health issue, something to be treated.

By having it out in the open not only can there be proper supervision (some meds need to be tailed off or are harmful) but also allows the psychiatrist to know the full facts, which is essential to give proper therapy.

Do you think your freind could disclose his taking meds if he felt reasonably secure?

Croix

[Lilly18]

Hi thanks. My mate has told his doctor about it.
Can he get into trouble for it?

[Croix]

Dear Lilly18~

I'm not the doctor and to not know all the circumstances so can't really say, however most doctors will consider the well-being of their patient first, and as this is a very positive step may well want to take advantage of that and encourage rather than discourage. They also have patient confidentiality to consider.

For someone to admit there is a problem and seek help is a huge step, and does not happen nearly as often as it should.

Rather than worry about any troubles please be happy your mate is trying to head for a better life

Croix

[geoff]

Hello Lily, I agree the referring doctor interests are to look after their patient first and hope that your friend only takes what they say he should.

Any other unprescribed medication could be something he shouldn't be taking, simply because if this makes him feel good, it may only be a temporary measure and would need another dose to get him better.

Prescribed medication is not addictive, not that I'm qualified to say, nor does it give any immediate effect, it's taken over a period, but can you please contact the doctor.

Take care.

Geoff.