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First, you need to consider why you went off the medication, and how you’ve been doing since then. And then, you need to discuss it with your doctor.
Did you go off medication because it seemed like you’ d outgrown your ADD? (We now know that you don’t outgrow ADD, but the symptoms change, because you internalize things more.) Or was it because you found the side effects outweighed any benefits?
How have you been managing since going off the medication?
Compare how you felt and functioned before starting school, with how you feel and function when you’re back in school. Keep a journal for the first couple of weeks. Just make short notes on how you’re feeling throughout the day and evening. Things that you find easy. Things that you find hard. Anything that could contribute to these feelings (a fight with your roommate, discovering you have a great prof, the chaos of buying books, a late night out at the pub…)
This will give you an idea of whether you need to go back on medication or not. If you and your doctor feel it’s best if you go back on medication, you should continue keeping that journal, also noting the med(s), dose(s) and what time(s) you took it each day. This will help you and your doctor determine if the meds are working for you, or if you need to make adjustments. (Always consult your doctor before making any adjustments.)
Whether you’re on meds or not, if you find it very difficult to function properly in school, don’t hesitate to go to Student Services to ask for help. ADD is quite common now, so they’ll have supports and strategies available to help you. And it’s way better to get help before you get really overwhelmed, than after you have a freak-out!
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