ADHD Specifics

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The gold standard of starting ADHD care is a Psychological Evaluation done by a Psychologist.  Their reports include results for IQ, processing speed, and working memory.  We would love this before the visit but it is difficult for college students to find a clinic with a testing psychologist, it takes several visits, costs $1000+ and isn't covered by insurance.

Arrive Mental Health has providers who can do a history, interview and functional scales to get to the right diagnosis.  We won't know everything you get from a full Psychological evaluation, but it is a way to start treatment.

ADHD medication treatment is usually with stimulants with DEA Schedule Level 2 prescribing restrictions.   These are very strict.  Arrive Mental Health follows all guidance and prescribing laws.  Addiction is rare but watched for by monitoring pharmacy reports.  More worrisome would be abuse or misuse.  Our coaching includes: don't share with friends, don't sell them (felony), they aren't for staying up all the night before an exam, and they are to be taken only as prescribed.   

DEA rules  were relaxed during the pandemic to allow telehealth prescribing.    It is thought that rules requiring at least one in person visit will be required in 2026.  In preparation, Bryan is explaining this to all new patients.  See our 'About' page for information on the Ryan Haight Act.  Be very careful with 'online only' prescribers.   Arrive Mental health always has in person visits available in our Pittsboro NC office.  

This is a nationwide issue and a pharmacy's supply might change by the hour.  This is a nightmare for those with ADHD.   Patients go to the pharmacy and are told "don't have any, don't know when we will get some".    Young people, not quite sure how things work,  sometimes just wait for it to come in, sometimes a month later after they have struggled off the medication.   You need a provider who understands the shortage, is good at explaining it,  and is responsive to creative solutions.   The patient is coached to ask the pharmacy tech or pharmacist for help and usually they can figure out an alternative pharmacy with a supply or an alternative dose.  For example- a 10mg dose can also be written as two 5mg tablets or half a 20mg tablet.    The pharmacist, per law,  can't substitute DEA Level 2 medications  though and can't even transfer to another store in the same chain.  The medication needs a whole new prescription. Arrive Mental Health is responsive to get that sent in quickly before availability changes again.