I’m just curious how doctors outside of the US view ADHD. I get the impression that it is not percieved or accepted the same. One of the most awkward conversations I’ve ever had in my life was when my adderall was blocked at French customs (because it’s illegal). I had to try to explain to my host family what the medecine was for, but they just looked at me and asked, “You take medecine to concentrate?”
My girlfriend, who’s Taiwanese, doesn’t even know I have it or that I take medecine for it, because I have no idea how to explain it.
Well the condition is certainly recognized in France and is called TDAH (Trouble Déficitaire de l’Attention avec Hyperactivité). I don’t know if it’s considered a legit psychiatric problem or if it’s treated, but it has a name.
Do customs routinely read prescription bottles? How the hell did they find out about it? Did they really not let you take a personal supply of prescribed medication into the country? What if it was a life-saving medication that was banned and you would die without it? Would you not be allowed to ever go to France then?
As far as I can tell, it has just begun to be mentionned in the medias recently. Not many people seems to be aware of the existence of such a syndrome. And medical care profesionnals, from the content of articles on this topic, seem to be divided on the issue. I’m yet to have met anybody whose children would be treated for that.
So, I do not doubt you’re going to get some puzzled look when you mention it.
I’m perfectly allowed to bring any amount (within reason, I suppose) of adderall into the country with me, as long as I have the perscriptions. When I run out, though, I cannot get my doctor to mail it to me. When it got stopped at customs, it was because the box contained three or six months worth the amphetimines. I had to get the French Agency for the Sanitary Security of Health Products (AFSSAPS) to give me a temporary license to import narcotics, but they said they wouldn’t be able to do it again.
A friend of mine in Belgium, on the other hand, didn’t have any problems if I remember correctly.
ADHD is certainly diagnosed and medication prescribed more in the USA than elsewhere. New Scientist had an article recently which included a chart showing that medicines are prescribed nearly twice as much as in Canada, but 7 - 10 times as much as in the UK, Germany and Australia. And 20+ times more than Japan. France was not mentioned.
I personally subscribe to the theory that ADHD is a hunter survival trait. The hyperfocus mode that is inherent in most of people with ADHD is an incredible huntin g skill. The idea being is that your mind is all over the place allowing you to detect prey, and hyperfocuses on the pursuit once the prey is detected. If you have ADHD, try playing a game like lasertag or paintball and pay attention to your own focus - it’s quite enlightening about your own condition.
Yes, and Ender Wiggin is going to help “Gloriously Bright” and wang-mu, and all the other “godspoken” on Path with their OCD. -No wait, this would lead to Xenocide. Nevermind
