Read the dsm-iv they are one in the same DX. There are several different layers to this and at one time they where different DX but they are all considered the same for DX purpose. In fact if you look at the dsm-iv there is no such thing as ADD. If you like the text please fell free to PM me.

This is coming from someone who had to jump through all the loops with this problem - Me. I had been taking perscription medication and I put it on my medical application and then... boom! No medical for a year (At the time I was a student pilot and it was in 2004). This is what the FAA said to me: "After evaluating your recently submitted medical, we have decided to deny your application request. Please submit a detailed report from your flight instructor or other qualified evaluator next year on XXXX date in the form of a progress report. Also, you need to be off of any perscription drugs for ADHD indefinatley."

There's my story with that, I now have had a First class since it was approved a year later and have had no problems. I found that in recent studies, the prescriptions have an interesting effect, with ADHD, the prescriptions contain large amounts of Stimulant! so my alternative, Precription Medicines = Coffee... that probably would have been perfect in the first place!

http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/...ical-treatment

there is one drug that treats adhd called strattera, which is a non-stimulant drug that works wonders, but is also banned... for no reason.... the whole situation is stupid and will never be fixed

UPDATE:

I haven't been on here since 2007. hello!!!

Anyways I have some great news...

To make a long story short....

I have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD my entire life ( for 22 years or so )
Before I went to apply for my medical I joined AOPA to get professional help from their medical team ( not sure what their actual department name is ). They advised me to get all my medical information together and get a private physiological evaluation with the approval of what the FAA wanted in the tests. Once the report was in I would go take my medical. During this period Ive been off any medication for the past 2 years.

I ended up paying around $1k to get a private evaluation and in the end the psychologist sent the report tot he FAA. In addition I sent in a copy of all my medical information relating to my past ADD/ADHD history ( of course my doctor viewed me as not having the diagnosis anymore, while providing that notification to the FAA in the medical records ).

Went to apply for my 1st class.

Waited about half a year. Had to call the FAA and prioritize my review.

In the mail i received my 1st class medical.


Currently, Ive received my private and just recently my instrument rating. Now im in my commercial training based out of San Diego.


My advice is to anyone with this condition... Its vital to be off the medication for a year minimum. Do the private evaluation that the FAA has discussed in some legal papers you can find through the AOPA or other sources. Do well in the evaluation and take your medical. Once everything is in, you will have to wait a long time.

Dont be afraid if you have or had ADD/ADHD. Continue the long process and youll be rewarded in the end.

Yes they automatically deny you if you have ADD/ADHD and you dont take the right steps, but if you show that you can medically prove your fit, you will be alright.

I hope this helps anyone. I would take the time to make this message more "clean" but I just dont have the time. CYA!!!


PS : If a kid who has taken every kind of ADD/ADHD medication out there for most of his youthful life and can now fly professionally as a career. Anyone can do it!

Good story wrxsteve and a fine example of persistence.
Congrats.

USMCFLYR

Thanks for filling us in. This is an important issue since a lot folks suspect that ADHD/DD was over-diagnosed and over-medicated, leaving a lot of young folks with a potentially unjust black-mark on their medical history.

. Do you have a clean medical or an SI.