I'm an international student at Kyoto University, and I seriously think that I have ADHD. I'm seeing a university counsellor at the moment. I've been seeing her for almost a year now, give or take. Several months ago, I mentioned to her that I think I have ADHD, but she dismissed this by saying, "people with ADHD are always late, and you are not late therefore you cannot have ADHD". I'm not one to "speak up" for myself, so I let it go.
But lately my ability to complete tasks, even the simplest of tasks, is just, idk… I can't do anything. It's affecting my grades and my research supervisor has already had a serious talk with me about how I cannot go on like this.
I emailed my counsellor and told her that I really think I have ADHD and would like to get properly diagnosed. She responded with:
To diagnose that one person has ADHD, several examinations and consideration from various perspectives are required in general.
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to get a diagnosis in Japan, considering linguistic and cultural limitations and Japanese pharmaceutical regulations.
(International students who are prescribed ADHD medication have diagnostic certificates from their home countries.)
So I'm afraid to say that it seems impossible for you to get ADHD medication (especially stimulant ADHD medication), but I heard that the effect of some ADHD medicine is similar to that of antidepressants.
Is there anyone out there like me – foreigner living in Kyoto with no prescription or prior diagnosis, whatsoever – who was able to get treatment? My Japanese skills are below poor btw. I speak very, very basic Japanese.
by Stunning-Willow-5798
3 comments
I was diagnosed and received medication from a clinic in Osaka. It’s a bit of travelling for you, but it’s only once a month.
The doctor studied in Switzerland so his English is pretty okay. [Link](https://psyche.clinic/english/).
Best of luck.
try [Iryo Hojin Sugawara clinc](https://maps.app.goo.gl/h3KAWF3j67BmUMAq9?g_st=ic). i had no previous diagnosis and i got assessed and diagnosed in english and the main prescribing doctor speaks english too.
This may be of limited use for multiple reasons, but I got diagnosed in Tokyo and medication here in Kyoto.
I went to an English speaking clinic in Tokyo, I think it was roppongi-clinic ? Then I got transferred to a doctor here in Kyoto when I moved here.
The clinic I go to now is called Sakuragi Rikka (桜木りか). The issue you will have with them, is I’m fluent in Japanese to the level that communication is a non-issue. I don’t know that they have any English speaking support.
I only mention because they (somewhat unusually) can offer a Concerta prescription which has worked much better for me than the Strattera I was originally prescribed in Tokyo. Also, I feel bad for them as their Google reviews are poor but they’ve been invaluable to me. They provide medication and not therapy, which seems to be what people don’t like.
For me, that’s what I want. I can get in and out and the doctor is polite. She checks my symptoms and side effects and I get an occasional blood test. That’s about it. Might not be what you need but it’s possible.
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