Patient Profiles

Our patient profiles provide some key features to look for when making prescribing decisions.

  • Tries to get to the gym four days a week
  • Diagnosed with ADHD (Inattentive Presentation) two years ago
  • Currently taking a once-a-day long acting methylphenidate

At yearly consult with doctor, Sam admits that after school and in the evening he:

  • Is making careless mistakes
  • Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
  • Avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Often misplaces his keys and wallet
  • Is easily distracted
  • Diagnosed with ADHD (Inattentive Presentation) after his son was diagnosed three years ago
  • Has been on and off the same stimulant medication since he was diagnosed

At his routine consult with his doctor, Luc reports that he is usually able to:

  • Focus on tasks at work
  • Generally manage his time well

However, Luc’s wife reports differently, saying Luc:

  • Often makes careless mistakes
  • Has trouble organizing tasks and responsibilities
  • Avoids errands that require sustained mental effort
  • Starts projects enthusiastically, but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetracked
  • Has at least 10 unfinished projects sitting at home
  • Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
  • Single parent to a 5-year old daughter
  • Responsible for morning carpool to school
  • Brings work home most nights
  • Recently diagnosed with ADHD (Inattentive Presentation)
  • Has not yet started on ADHD treatment as she is considering her options

In a consult with her doctor to discuss treatment options, Nalini notes that she also:

  • Has difficulty organizing herself (e.g., making dinner, washing the dishes)
  • Is often forgetful (e.g., misses appointments, frequent late payments on bills)
  • Often misplaces her purse and cell phone
  • Is easily distracted when trying to work
  • Diagnosed with ADHD one year ago
  • Currently taking a methylphenidate

Her mom expresses concerns to Bethany’s doctor about her:

  • Interrupting students in class and not waiting her turn
  • Constantly talking over her friends in snapchats
  • Frequently interrupting her brother at dinnertime
  • Leaving her seat at dinnertime
  • Talking non-stop, failing to give others a turn
  • Not listening when asked to get ready for bed at 9pm

Ella’s mom has been concerned about her daughter’s behaviour for several months, reporting that:

  • Her mind frequently seems elsewhere, even in the absence of obvious distractions
  • While Ella starts homework enthusiastically, she quickly loses focus, often not completing her assignments
  • Ella often misplaces things, and is forgetful in evening activities at home (e.g., doing her chores)
  • At her part-time job after school and on weekends, Ella’s boss states that she is messy, disorganized, and has difficulty managing her time
  • Mom suspects she has ADHD because she is constantly “on the go”
  • Her older brother was diagnosed about a year ago, and she sees many of the same signs and symptoms in Isabelle
  • Dad was diagnosed as a child

Her mom notes that Isabelle:

  • Is easily sidetracked when watching a movie as a family
  • Has trouble keeping her room tidy
  • Has difficulty focusing on her homework.

Her teacher notes that she:

  • Is a smart kid, but doesn’t follow through on instructions and often doesn’t seem like she’s listening
  • She is hyperactive at recess, and has to be told multiple times to come inside when the bell rings
  • She has difficulty with group activities because she’s constantly interrupting
  • Mom suspects he has ADHD – his older brother and father have recently been diagnosed

His mom notes that Michael:

  • Is easily sidetracked
  • Has trouble getting organized
  • Is often “on the go” and is uncomfortable staying seated and settling down
  • Has difficulty complying with his teacher’s usual requests

His teacher says he:

  • Often doesn’t follow through on instructions
  • Fails to give close attention to details and often makes careless mistakes

Michael’s coach says he’s a skilled player, but he:

  • Often doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to directly
  • Has difficulty sustaining attention, and often avoids drills that require sustained mental effort
  • Frequently disrupts drills because he won’t wait his turn

* Individual patient cases. May not be representative of the general population.