Adderall causing depression? Can Antidepressants help while on Adderall?
Hi,
I am desperately trying to find pertinent information about Adderall, depression, and whether antidepressants can be combined with and/or have been shown to be helpful when paired with Adderall.
Here's the background info:
I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. My entire life I'd always just thought I was different then every body else; that somehow everyone else could just do things that I was unable to do. At 23, my psychologist inquired as to whether I had ever been tested for ADHD, and whether or not I really knew what ADHD was. I started researching, and remember being blown away at finding out what ADHD really was... it was me. I was astonished that I had exhibited so many of the symptoms for as long as I could remember, and yet had never had any idea that there was a legitimate medical reason, not to mention any idea that my situation, a lifetime of feelings of inadequacy and being different from my peers, was not as unique as I'd believed.
I followed up with an ADHD testing certified psychologist to determine the legitimacy of my suspicion and was diagnosed with ADHD-predominantly inattentive type. Then, at this professional's recommendation I followed up with a psychiatrist, and was placed on Adderall XR. Initially, he placed me on the starting adult dose of 20mg. I was lucky to have found a psychiatrist who worked rigorously with me over the following months to find just the right medication and dosage, and after trying a number or drugs and doses, found that 40mgs of Adderall XR per day provided me optimum results.
The effects of the medication were immediate for me; I felt like I'd suddenly emerged from a haze surrounding my brain's ability to perform. I'd never in my life been able to do the things I could suddenly do, like: study for longer than 30 minutes, concentrate on the task at hand, house work, arrange my thoughts clearly, etc. In many ways, I was jubilated with my increasing confidence and ability to demonstrate my full potential. Overall, being properly diagnosed and treated for the first time seemed to be enhancing the quality of my life and self-worth.
However, its been a little over a year since I was diagnosed and first began taking medication, the last 6 months of which I've consistently on the 40mg dosage of Adderall, and I feel like I'm falling apart. I want to be as honest as possible here, because I'm really in need of guidance/help/knowledge/advice/information. I no longer see the psychiatrist I was working with because I've since moved. He forwarded my prescribing information to my general practitioner who now writes my scrip (I know I need to, and I absolutely will find a psychiatrist asap after the Holiday, obviously that's got to happen if I'm going to resolve anything... but things seem to have come to a head right before the holiday, so finding a psychiatrist is out till next week). I'm hoping someone might have some know something about a few things so I can stop stressing out.
Here's the problem now and the questions:
I feel like the adderall might be causing depression for me. I'm not even certain I am depressed (maybe because I don't want to believe I am), but I feel like I'm purposely isolating myself, like I'm less sociable, I can't concentrate the way I remember being able to concentrate initially, I feel like everyone thinks I'm too uptight and critical (when I don't mean to be), I feel content at being alone even though I know it's not really what I want, I feel like others find me impossible to deal with or relate to... Generally, I feel paranoid that I am collapsing in on myself; unsure if others perceive me this way; and scared as to whether it is the adderall that is allowing these problems to manifest /worsen, or if this is just who I am as a person... and all of this combined, I think, is making me depressed and creating a vicious cycle which worsens my paranoia about all of the above mentioned. I can, and lately have been skipping Adderall on certain days, but the truth is, as a full time student, and with the pride I've found in my academic ability, I hesitant to miss days of my medication. The simple fact is --and this is nothing new, I can't even focus, much less retain what I did hear in a class lecture if I don't take the Adderall; my not taking it isn't much of an option for me.
The last detail, I guess, is that I've had times of feeling anxious about who I am and my self worth since high school... well before I was diagnosed. I'll keep it simple and just say that I grew up in an extremely critical environment (both socially, academically and in my home setting) that constantly reinforced the idea that whatever inadequacies I demonstrated were the result of my personal choices, and thus a personality flaw... I really felt like I'd found the answer in my diagnosis... that the truth was that many of the symptoms I'd become so convinced were just personality flaws (and thus my fault) were just nonexistent when I was on the medication I needed. Prior estimations by others and any fears about not measuring up were shattered... a year ago I felt vindicated. But, now, I'm feeling those insecurities creep back as I wonder whether I am just incapable of being the happy, and mostly content woman I feel like I once was able to be, or if its the drugs causing that.
So, my questions:
1) Has anyone else experienced this? If so, did you find something that made it subside, or did it go away on it's own.... do you still struggle with it?
2) Are there antidepressants that can be combined with Adderall?
3) Are there any combinations of AD and Adderall that actually enhance one another? If so, what were your experiences?
4) Has anyone found ways to manage and thus overcome this where they feel like their lives are back on track and happily moving forward?
Thank you in advance anyone and everyone who has any information they think might be helpful. I'm really feeling hopeless that this might just be, as a person, who I am or something. 
I have been taking adderall for 6 years 40mg a day but I also take prozac, zanax to offset the stimulant in adderall. If I just took adderall I would be bouncing off the walls. I take the other meds at night to go to sleep. I try not to take them in am unless I get so anxious I can't stand it. I have been on medication for 20 years for anxiety and depression but 6 years ago the doctor added the adderall for energy source. Now I can't go without it or I will just lay around and do nothing. I use to feel like I did not need to take drugs for my condition but over the years I have realized that it's necessary for me. I definently have an imbalance somewhere up there and the meds do help. Medication will only help with the symptoms you must deal with life yourself. Negative thoughts can take over and destroy your quality of life. You begin to dwell on the negative all the time and isolate yourself from everyone. I have to literally make myself go outside and do something. It makes me feel ashamed because I could be alot worse off with some major debilatating disease that confines you to a chair. Anxiety and depression can paralyze you if you allow it. This is a problem you have to come to terms with. Over the years I have talked to countless people about this I have read all the research about the subject. It all comes down to your will to survive. If I can help you in anyway feel free to email me and put subject "desperate" so I can pick it out of the spam mail.
Talking to someone who is going through the same thing helps immensly.
kristina
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Hi, I also am on Adderall and feel like it may be causing me depression. I used to other meds but then was put on adderall around Jan. Since then, I have noticed that I started to become depressed and was diagnosed for it. I am still struggling with my depression but I am starting to think that the adderall is making me worse. Every time I take adderall my depression becomes more severe. Prior to taking adderall, I was not depressed by I am still not sure if its just becaus eof my life events or if it is a side affect. Either way, I feel exactly like you do and I was always a very outgoing person. I still am outgoing but I have to push myself to go out or be with my friends. I also noticed that when the medication's half-life hits me I suddenly become very tired. I have been searching the web but have not found ay clinical studies on Adderall linking to depression.
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Hi- I was researching Adderall and antidepressants online when I came across your post. I felt like I was reading a very eloquent and exact description of what has been happening in my life. I even forwarded the link to my father so he could better understand what it has been like for me.
I'm still at the beginning of my journey with ADHD and Adderall, having only recently been diagnosed and started on medication. I am 26 years old and I go to school and also have a full time career. I am struggling with the side effects of Adderall- the anxiety and the moodiness are definitely present. I've also been growing increasingly concerned about how my personality has been effected. I feel like a social idiot now, to put it lightly. I feel like it's a struggle to interact with people socially, and that is a far cry from how I was before. I've felt like it's put a cap on how upbeat, positive, or even happy and joyous I can feel. When I smile, I feel like it's just a motion instead of a true expression of happiness because I don't really feel it. My thoughts become fixated on things that cause me anxiety and I feel dull and listless, like I'm just going through the motions instead of really experiencing things. it has been really great for me as far as the usual benefits are concerned- school performance, task efficiency, concentration (for the most part), etc. But these negative side effects are starting to take a toll on me.
I don't really have anything to offer you in the way of answers to your questions; I just wanted to share a little bit about my experiences and let you know that reading about yours has offered me a little clarity about what I was feeling, but couldn't really put my finger on. I will get back to you with info from my doctor after I see him next week. My email is kzwicki@gmail.com if you or anyone else who has posted has any info or would like to discuss this further. Thanks!!
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Hi, just wanted to mention that our situations are very similar. I concentrate MUCH better on the Adderall, however, go into a slump when not on it. There is a fine line between bipolar/ADHD. I am convinced, given the inadequancies I have always felt (and masked well) and my accomplishments (rn, then bachelors), I have masked things well. I also have had tremendous struggles related to relationships. I feel we build up a tolerance to medications at some point. I had been on Wellbutrin w/Adderal 40 daily. I recently quit the Wellbutrin and started on Prozac. Prozac is not just for depression. It helps with repeated negative thoughts (similar to OCD), feeling need for repetiotion, anxiety and constant worrying. Taking the prozac, coupled with the Adderall has made a difference.
Finally, and most importantly. I listed to a show briefly by Joyce Meyer. She is, YES, an evangelistic lecturer. She quoted many scriptures and also focused was focusing on her irritation over things related to her husband, job, etc. Her bottom line was GET OVER YOURSELF! This really hit me. Yes, we may need medication. Yet, we have a choice how much negativism and how much we want to KEEP PONDERING these things, that we do. Perhaps you need a change in meds. Pray, do it, and then GO ON. Start to concentrate on what you need to do for YOURSELF to improve yourself. Do this with the attitude that the more you improve yourself, the more valuable you will become to others. Ask ALWAYS for God's help. If you don't believe, I urge you to read the book of John. Phil 4:13. You will feel best about yourself when you give (what you have ... not your perfect self) to others.
Yes, I am on meds; yes I am sick of asking questions, seeking MDs and feeling as if "I am the only one going through this" ... in a way I am sick of being my own worst enemy and causing myself to feel so negative. Recognize also, that there are principalities of darkness, and that God did NOT give you a spirit of weakness, but of a strong, sound mind. If you feel inadequate and talk negativism to yourself, WHO do you think is helping to create this within you??? If you believe in God and His word, you MUST believe then, that the enemy, Satan is real and he comes to kill, rob and destroy!
Read your bible, learn the truth and arm yourself appropriately.
I am not saying we do not need medications. But we need to do our part mentally and spiritually as given on the directions of the bottle for the meds and the BIBLE for our intructions on life!!
Good luck my friend. I know you will be find. You have the power of a sound mind and the ability to use it. I pray for you that the Lord is with you and pray against all evil spirits that come against you and your mind at this time and rebuke them in the name of Jesus. Remember, where two or more are gathered and pray, God hears and answers. Satan LOVES to get into our heads, yet hates when we use the precious name of Jesus to rebuke him and his powerful enemies out of our lives. He has no choice but to leave. Pray that with me, continue to see your MD, concentrate on others and only what is good for your life and you will SEE a difference quickly.
I understand, care and pray for you. Bonjo999
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hkerr
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 06:06 AM
I have never found something so exact on describing how I feel at the moment. Although it's unfortunate, it's comforting to know you aren't the only person who feels like this.
I currently take 30 mgs of adderall daily.. and have done so for little over a year now. It really does help when it comes to school, but i'm beginning to feel like I can't remember who I am. I have become very moody and it seems I'm more mean than nice anymore. It's a constant battle to keep myself from snapping at people. I see this more so at the end of the day when my medicine wears off, but its become too regular. I do not want to feel like this anymore.
I'd really appreciate it if we could keep in touch somehow because I feel our situations are very similar. It's much easier to talk to someone about this who can relate. I'd also like to know if you ever started another medicine and how it's treating you.
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Hi Katie-
Like you I was diagnosed with ADHD (combination type) as an adult and immediatley after starting adderall I felt like a new person. No depression no anxiety clear headed and accomplished. After some time I too started feeling depressed and anxious again. I learned through guidences and counseling that you can't just take medications. Has your new Doc suggested Cognative Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? That was the best thing I ever did for my self and my diagnosis. After CBT I did not need my zanax nor anything to help me sleep at night. My anxiety was completely gone and my depression with it. Even after 2 years and 10 wks of therapy I still have days (weeks even) of depression and anxiety but now I know that it is because I hadnt been using the tools I was given in CBT. It is ALOT of personal work and gets really tough (my 1st 2 weeks I almost gave up) but it teaches so much that its worth the fight.
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10 Tips for Adults with ADHD
A diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing. Start your treatment plan with these tips.
That was so uplifting, I am a christian and have been for many years. I happened to stumble across this while researching some information in regards to Addrell. I take Adderall and was looking for some information in regards to is effectivness and longivity. Actually, I personally feel great on my meds after three month and was looking to see how long they work and if there is a time frame they may begin to not work anymore. My 8 year old has also been dignosed with ADD and we both began the meds at the same time. Anyways I usually do not respond to posts, especally ones that were not directed to me however I felt complelled to write you.
I know you wrote this post awhile ago, and hopefully you get this email, but I just wanted to tell you how much that uplifted my spirt and how I wish there were more people out there that were not afraid to speak the truth. I pray that you continue to praise God and live the life you were meant to live and continue to be blessed. I want you to know your words and actions are powerful and that even a person whom has been a christian for many years needs a reminder of the grace and glory of God now and then. Sometimes it is very easy to take is love for granted. I don't know if when you wrote this if you were a new christian or just rediscovering God through Joyce Myers but I pray that you continue to grow and be strengthen. God has great things in mind for your life. I pray that you will continue to spread the word and I pray that you have been able to overcome your depression. Thank You for sharing.