Hi Taylor,
I'm not sure that parental consent is needed by a kid of your age to get a doctor's appointment, especially if you're going to pay for the consultation yourself.
However there are one or two things you can do now that may help although maybe not immediately if you find it impossible to get to a doctor. We started treating my son like this long before we took him to the doc for confirmation, and we see a lot of improvement in him:
Fish oil / omega 3s: Try to get some of this, it's fairly cheap and you can get it in the drug store or a grocery store. Take it every day for a few months and see if it doesn't help. It can't harm you.
Diet: Take a long hard look at your diet. There's an alternatives board on this forum which would give you way more info than I can but here are a few pointers: If it's white, it's not good. White rice, white pasta, white sugar are bad. Eat brown rice, brown pasta, brown bread, etc. In fact sugar as a whole is bad, but if you must have, have brown. If you eat candy coated cereal in the morning, have rolled oats or muesli instead. Up your fruit and water intake if it's low. And red tea is excellent for antioxidising, concentration and mood enhancing - it was first prescribed as an antidepressant.
This advice is good for a multitude of things, not only ADHD,and is all good in pregnancy too. And if your mom is doing the shopping, maybe you could go along one day and suggest healthy alternatives. You don't need to mention that it helps with ADHD. You could tell her it helps with weightloss or mention some of the other benefits if she pushes you.
Good luck Taylor and report back to us.
I agree with the others about starting at your school counselor. Unfortunately there's kids and teens (like you) who need help and cant get it from their parents, you cant be the only one mature enough to seek help yourself. This leads to my next comment. How mature of you to notice your issues and work through this and try to find out what's happening even when the people around you are not supporting you, mature move, good for you .
Adults are diagnosed with ADHD all the time, they dont have their parents confirmation of how their life was when younger, go to whoever you have to in order to get help.
Can you schedule an appt by yourself with your pediatrician? If not, can't you have your mother schedule an appt with your pediatrician (for something bogus if she won't do it) and then just start talking to the doctor about ADHD and flat out ask for treatment? All you have to do is fanagle your way into the doctor's office if you are getting resistance from all sides. Once you are in the office, the door is open.Oh Taylor... I am so sorry you are in this spot! How is it you are seeing a councilor? Is it through your school or privately? Are you still in school? If so go see the councilor and ask for direction, or ask a teacher to direct you to social services. Call social services your self! Most cities have mental health centers, you might start there.How frustrating to know you need help and not have anyone listen to you. Have you talked with your school's guidance counselor? That might be a starting point. I'd call a psychiatrist's office and explain your situation. At 17, you might be old enough to proceed even without your mother's involvement. When do you turn 18? I would think at 18 you could pursue medical help even if she doesn't want you to do so.
I don't know the law for high schoolers. I know if a parent requests an evaluation in writing, then the school is required to conduct the evaluation in a certain number of days. I don't know if students can request the evaluation themselves.
In the meantime, maybe look at the alternatives to medicine board. Consult a dr. before pursuing any megasupplements, though!
My names Taylor, im 17, i live with my mother and my pregnant girlfriend (19). Ive lived all over the US. ive moved about 12 times. and visit alot. ive always known that something isnt workin right upstairs but ive always been able to deal with it. kinda. ive never had good grades, i can never keep up with anything, sometimes my girlfriend has to call my name 3 or 4 times before i even shift my attention to her. its so bad that sometimes im even distracted during sex. ive never been able to keep up with my house keys, or projects at school. i cant even listen to a whole song all the way through. ive driven in a car a few times and crashed twice because i wasnt paying attention. ive been hit by cars 3 times because i walked through the crosswalk at the wrong time. the list goes on and on. im positive i have inattentive and some parts of impulsive adhd. the problem is...Noone but me knows it. My mother wont listen. i think she has an undiagnosed disorder as well. i didnt really have a regular doctor when i was young so noone ever noticed. my mother is stubborn and forgetful herself so she wont even admit that my problems started before elementary school. i feel trapped. and my girlfriend wont read about adhd or anything so she cant even confirm my symptoms. i dont know what to do. my mom is getting me counciling but all they are concerned with is my failure in school and chores. NOONE i have talked to is listening to me and the pressure keeps building up. if i dont get help soon i dont know whats gonna happen. even if i did get an appointment with a physician who can diagnose adhd i dont think that my mom is going to be able to confirm my symptons because she doesnt realize it herself. ive tried telling her and she just brushes it off. i feel utterly alone. i already decided not to go to my next counciling apointment because my councilor is only concerned with money and not her patients situations. i need to find someone sensitive to their patients needs.