The topic here is prescription Adderall. Specifically: Adderall is too often prescribed badly. Adderall effects on personality can include irritability, anger, lowered empathy, reduced self-awareness, and even mania.
Moreover, reckless Adderall prescribing patterns have intensified public and political backlash against the diagnosis itself. The same is often true of another amphetamine, Vyvanse. And that’s been made worse by the introduction of junk Vyvanse generics. (See link at the end of this post.)
Adderall: Let’s Get This Out of the Way:
- Prescription Adderall works very well for some people — in some cases better than all the other choices.
- For many other people, Adderall creates more problems than it solves.
- Do they always know this? No. Neither do their prescribers.
- When Adderall does cause problems, it can negatively affect objectivity to the point where the person will not listen to others’ concerns.
- Prescribers’ love affair with Adderall for adults with ADHD is based on disinformation. That is, the entrenched belief among prescribers that Adderall is “best” for adults is patently false.
- The Adderall “shortages” are causing some people to re-assess how well Adderall was working for them—and finding other options.
ADHD Medications: Self-Educate & Self-Advocate
How can you or your loved avoid being yet another victim of Madderall? Self-educate and prepare to self-advocate. With serious sources, not marketing propaganda.
No one cares more about your or your loved one’s life than you do. Being passive is extremely risky, even with extremely confident prescribers. Perhaps especially with those.
The truly tragic part is this: Poorly prescribed Adderall can create negative personality changes in people who trustingly seek only to treat their ADHD:
- Anxiety
- Short temper
- Aggression
- Poor decision-making
- Tunnel vision, or myopia
- Sleep deprivation
- What looks like (and might be) mania
Trouble is, they might not see reality through their “Adderall goggles”. Unfortunately, their prescribers typically don’t ask—or connect the dots. This triggers a cascade of negative outcomes. Lost jobs, lost relationships, even lost lives.
You might say, “So what? Just try another medication.” I often hear this from physicians who consider themselves ADHD-informed.
Here’s the trouble with this simple belief. They do not have their ear to the ground as I have since 1999.
Moreover, for reasons I’ll explain, Adderall’s effects often mean no other stimulant will be tried.
A Necessarily Long Post About Adderall — with Scanning Aids
This is a long post. By necessity.
I created hyperlinked subheads to ease your scanning. At the end, I’ll offer a preview of what competent prescribing for ADHD looks like. So you can help guide it.
You will find other articles on this topic ….now. Mine was first, in 2013, and the only until very recently. One reason for this: Adderall has become a lucrative keyword in increasing web traffic. Not for me but definitely for commercial “health” and ADHD sites.
FYI — No Adderall-Abuse Tips Here!
Maybe you found this article while seeking to illegally procure or “hack” Adderall. If that is your goal, please read this first. It might save your life.
If you leave in disappointment after 5 seconds, my blog’s “bounce” rate increases. That’s a big Google-search penalty, kicking this post lower in search results. It already comes after a slew of paid and promoted superficial articles top the search list.
I leave it here anyway. Why? Chances are good that you actually have ADHD and are attempting to “self-medicate” it. That never ends well.
Overall Themes In This Post about Adderall, or Madderall:
Here are the overall topics in this post:
- Many prescribers (including psychiatrists) incompetently treat ADHD. This has devastating consequences.
- Why we, to avoid these adverse outcomes, might consider prescription Adderall not as a first try but rather a last-stop in stimulant medications.
- The New York Times has a long history of anti-psychiatry reporting, most especially ADHD. This was my initial catalyst in writing this post, in 2013.
- The importance of consumer self-education and self-advocacy.
- An excerpt from my first book’s chapters on medication.
Major Points Covered about Adderall — Hyperlinked
Click on any topic to go right to it.
- What your prescriber doesn’t know might hurt you.
- How reckless prescribing of Adderall has damaged ADHD’s legitimacy
- Why has this malpractice continued unchecked?
- Conflicts of interest abound
- ADHD treatment is complex in that it affects individuals, not clones
- Google search terms that bring readers to this post
- The New York Times anti-ADHD campaign — that pushed me to write the original post, in 2013
- Adderall works best—for some
- Core problem: Reckless Adderall prescribing and little monitoring
- Contributing problems: A larger view
- Excerpt from YouMeADHD on working with your prescriber
1. What Your Prescriber Doesn’t Know Might Hurt You:
- Poorly prescribed Adderall can ruin lives and relationships due to its negative effects on personality, among other factors..
- This sometimes true for immediate-release Dexedrine, too. Those of you in Australia, where the the national healthcare system (Medicare) long considered it the stimulant of choice, be aware.
- Individuals experiencing poor results from Adderall often don’t realize it. They believe it’s the price of long-illusive focus—and no one dare take it from them. Their loved ones walk on eggshells, frightened and powerless. (Read the comments.)
- Next stop: These adults with ADHD might develop a cannabis, alcohol, or benzodiazepine habit to “come down” at night from the Adderall.
- And/Or: They love the intense focus too much to let go— no matter if that focus dangerously reduces self-awareness. (In other words, they assume that everyone else is the problem, not them.)
- Poorly prescribed Adderall can create or exacerbate anxiety, irritability, grandiosity, tunnel vision, and rage.
-
That’s why 25 years ago I started calling it Madderall.
(Note: I’m seeing the term Madderall now appropriated to describe combining marijuana and Adderall. That’s not my definition.)
2. Reckless Adderall Prescribing Fuels ADHD Backlash
The truly tragic part? There are so many less risky options to try
From my perspective, this is is a long-running public health crisis. It has contributed to a backlash against the diagnosis itself. Again and again.
Recent case in point: Alarming stories about “tele-health” clinics over-prescribing Adderall became inseparable from “ADHD is over-diagnosed.” For example:
Wall Street Journal Startups Make It Easier to Get ADHD Drugs: That Made Some Workers Anxious
Axios: Telehealth startup to Stop Prescribing Adderall for New ADHD Patients.
No doubt these venture-capital startups were cutting corners. Yet, it’s also true that COVID pushed ADHD to the fore for untold numbers of people who had been only marginally coping before. They needed care and found it wherever possible.
Poorly informed need outlets and grandstanding pharmacies (I.e. CVS) conspired to make it harder to get the diagnosis and costly medications—and create more backlash.
That’s a prime example of how the mis-prescribing of Adderall creates anti-ADHD stigma.
3. Why Has This Malpractice Gone Unchecked?
Why do doctors favor Adderall for their patients with ADHD? Especially the widespread failure to provide guidance or use rating scales or seek third-party reports?
Here’s one shocking reason: Many prescribers fail to scrutinize a meta-analysis based on old, scant (and we might say one-pharma-skewed) data. A meta-analysis is not established standard of care. It is only as good as the research it analyzes.
Three other reasons:
- Adderall’s manufacturer was notoriously aggressive in its marketing and fraudulent in its claims—with lasting effects
As a tangy example, the federal government fined the company $56.5M in 2014 for its false claims about Adderall and a few other drugs. Read more at the U.S. Department of Justice website: Shire Pharmaceuticals LLC to Pay $56.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Drug Marketing and Promotion Practices
2. This manufacturer has long wielded, in my observation, undue influence over most ADHD websites and personalities you see online and elsewhere.
Unfortunately, this includes psychiatrists, psychologists, coaches, and non-profits, including board members and conference speakers and organizers. With rare exception, marketing and public relations made their “credentials”, not merit.
Please know, I’ve been openly “pro-medication” for decades. Medication properly chosen and prescribed, that is. This pharma’s marketing is something else entirely.
3, Too many prescribers remain clueless, cavalier, and disconnected from consequences. I don’t say this to discourage seeking treatment! Instead, I want you to be a savvy healthcare consumer. To get the treatment you deserve.
It’s true: Prescribers often have little time with a patient. That still does not excuse this mess with Adderall and prescribing in general for ADHD.
Why haven’t other ADHD experts called this out? You’d have to ask them. My sense is that they fear consequences.
4. Conflict of Interest: Pharma Industry Support
Back in 1999, I was an award-winning journalist before falling into ADHD world. As such, I naturally avoid conflict of interest. Good journalists know that even accepting a free lunch is a slippery slope.
My “pro-medication” stance was rare then —and therefore risky. The “ADHD Gift” campaign dominated. Accepting Pharma industry support would sabotage my credibility. That’s why I didn’t and never have. (It’s certainly not because I could afford to work without compensation.)
To be clear: Researchers receiving pharmaceutical funding fall into a different category.
Research validity rests on the researchers’ reputations and methods — and replication. Researchers must disclose such funding. By contrast, most proclaiming ADHD expertise online, in books, or at many conferences these days are not researchers. Nor do many of them have proper credentials.
This part might truly shock you; Many “ADHD influencers” fail to disclose this pharma support. That includes licensed psychologists and physicians with platforms built by that pharma. This indirect support includes public relations efforts on their behalf and being placed (forever) in prominent positions at ADHD non-profits, at “tele-conferences,” and more. The upshot: Blinkered amateurism is presented as expertise.
5. ADHD Treatment Is Complex:
- Treating ADHD is not simple. It is a complex syndrome that affects individuals, not clones.
- Genetic differences among individuals affect drug response.
- Late-diagnosis ADHD is typically complicated by longtime sleep disorders, adverse life events, and substance use; it takes time and skill to disentangle these contributors.
- Prescribing requires expertise and method. Start low, titrate slow. Rating scales. Third-party feedback. And much more.
- To further complicate matters: Adderall is also a popular drug of abuse. Yet, even the story of “Adderall Abuse” is complicated.
6. Which Adderall Search Term Brought You Here?
Mostly, readers find this post legitimately, using terms such as these (to name only a few):
- Adderall makes my spouse angry
- Can Adderall make you irritable?
- Why is Adderall making my ADHD worse?
- Depression and anxiety from Adderall?
- Anger outbursts and Adderall
- Does Adderall change your personality?
- Adderall is spiking my blood pressure?
- Why is Adderall dilating my pupils and making me look crazed?
- Irritable after Adderall
- Can Adderall cause bipolar?
- My husband started Adderall and is an angry jerk now
- Can Adderall cause aggression and sexual behaviors in the elderly?
- Why is Adderall just making me tired now, after working for 2 months?
- Adderall changed my personality
7. Typical Traffic-Boosting ClickBait From The New York Times
7. Typical Traffic-Boosting ClickBait From The New York TimesBack in 2013, a back-channel tip came in one day. I steeled myself for the next anti-ADHD screed from the paper: “Drowned in a Sea of Prescriptions.” As a young journalism student, I respected The New York Times as an exemplar of journalism. Sadly, that’s long in the past, at least in the context of reporting on psychiatry.
Make no mistake: The paper still has respectable editors, reporters, and sections. Yet, the front-page editor for several years demonstrated seeming personal antipathy toward “biological” psychiatry. That is, the idea that our genes can adversely affect brain function—and that medication often helps.
Yet, no doubt something else was going on: the NYT website’s analytics. Any piece stigmatizing ADHD draws hordes of readers—and ad dollars. For years, the ADHD community protested in comments. Then they just mostly gave up.
Sure enough, after leaving the paper, former Executive Editor Jill Abramson called it “publishing by the analytics.” Google analytics, that is, that show traffic, how long a reader has read a page, where the reader went after, reader demographics, and lots more. It is now pervasive online, with virtually every news outlet and amplified in social media. That goes double for ADHD topics.
Over the years, I’ve called out the paper’s negative targeting of ADHD:
- Talking Back to The New York Times’ ADHD Myth-Mongering.
- The New York Times’ Unnatural Opinions on ADHD
- The Truth Behind “10,000 Toddlers Medicated for ADHD” – Parts 1 and 2.
This Time: More Adderall Grief—And Tiny Relief
Yet, when I read the 2013 story by reporter Alan Schwarz (“Drowned in a Sea of Prescriptions”), my reaction was both grief and relief.
Grief, that yet another person allegedly fell victim to prescription Adderall—and died by suicide. Relief, that finally The New York Times’ grandstanding front page finally got something right about ADHD. Well, at least in tiny part. That is, the manner in which many prescribers treat ADHD largely resembles a giant game of “Pin the Rx on the ADDer.”
All else in the story is distortion.
It wouldn’t be former sports reporter Alan Schwarz’s last apparent bid to land a Pulitzer Prize. He didn’t—and no longer works at the paper. Nor is he still a reporter. But during his reign, he and his editors inflicted immense and still reverberating damage. Even years after, Schwarz went on to resurface in a Netflix “documentary” from Maria Shriver and her daughter, Christina Schwarzenegger.
It’s called Take Your Pills. It’s a one-two punch castigating Adderall and ADHD, as if they are inseparable. Because, in too many prescribers’ minds, they are. That is exactly my point. (See Netflix’s Take Your Pills: Anti-Science—and Mean)
8. Again, Prescription Adderall Works Well Sometimes
Again: For some people, prescription Adderall works well. It is the best choice for them.
Yet, prescription Adderall does have the highest side-effect profile among stimulants. This is not a question. If you’re just starting treatment, why start with the riskiest choice? Why not try Adderall only after other stimulants (e.g. Ritalin, Focalin, Concerta, Vyvanse, etc.) have not proven effective?
Ideally, patients should receive a trial of both the amphetamine and methylphenidate classes. That’s according to preeminent experts, not my little opinion. But I explain in my first book, excerpted below. Why is this the case? Because it is impossible to predict how you will respond to either class of stimulant. It comes down to genetics. That means not just a few “ADHD genes”. It means potentially hundreds of genes, combining and contributing to this syndrome we call ADHD in myriad ways.
Oblivious to all these factors, many physicians routinely start new patients with Adderall—and at too high a dose. Among the people who join my groups or write to me, I’d guess it’s a whopping 90% who were started on Adderall. That is shocking.
9. Core Problem: Poor Monitoring of Prescription Adderall
In the early days of my advocacy, the early 2000s, I heard shocking story after story repeated in my Adult ADHD monthly discussion group in Palo Alto:
- Lackadaisical prescribing
- Poor monitoring (including no third-party feedback)
- Definitely over-prescribing of Adderall.
Similar accounts echoed through my local group and my online group for the partners of adults with ADHD (ADHD partner).
What was happening? ADHD treatment was supposed to make things better, not worse!
I’d done my homework in learning the evidence-based treatments for ADHD, including with prescribing. But I wasn’t seeing it in reality. As my husband the life scientist said, “It typically takes at least 20 years for the evidence of work works filters down to the clinical level.” (Twenty years later, I’m seeing worse, not better.)
Where Are Prescribers Failing Patients with ADHD?
To understand the essential problem, we must start with poor prescribing protocols for ADHD overall.
—Prescribers should track response
That is, they should be using a checklist of symptoms that helps them establish a baseline and then monitor medication response—and note any side effects. Only a tiny minority do.
—Prescribers should gather reports from family or close friends
ADHD is commonly associated with poor self-observation. Typically, this improves with medication. The wrong medication, however, risks further clouding self-observation — and worse.
—Too many prescribers don’t bother with either
Instead, they rely on a casual, “So, how’s it working for you?” If the patient complains of side effects, the physician often stops the Adderall and moves to Strattera, without trying any other stimulant. That’s bad medicine. It’s even worse when prescribers go farther afidle, with third, fourth, and fifth-line ADHD treatments such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or guanfacine. (Don’t get what’s wrong with this? Read how it should go with the excerpt below of my first book.)
Poor Prescribing Created ADHD Backlash?
To summarize: The prescribing of any stimulant is often done badly. But the problems around Adderall appear an order of magnitude more serious.
The fact that I publicly predicted and warned about this years ago — verbally collaring this pharma’s reps at conferences, asking “why aren’t you warning prescribers?” — brings me no pleasure in being proved right.
But I am just one person, without an “authoritative” MD after my name. (Google now actually penalizes this page because it’s not “reviewed” by an MD. Meanwhile, the plethora of “health” sites scrape the bottom of the barrel for unknown MDs, some who’ve lost their license in several states, who will slap their “reviewed by” on the article.
10. Contributing Problems: A Larger View
Again, the issues around prescription Adderall remain only one piece of a problematic puzzle:
— Physicians who see ADHD as a “simple condition”
“You just throw a stimulant at it!” one psychiatrist told me at a meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Obviously, he failed to find ADHD treatment interesting and therefore not worth his study.
(I saw him later at a presentation on Borderline Personality Disorder. Hundreds of psychiatrists. Hundreds were sitting on the edge of their seats, spellbound to dramatic stories. But not one presentation on adult ADHD, which has historically been misperceived as BPD.)
In fact, ADHD is a highly complex condition, especially when it is diagnosed later in life. Other conditions can complicate medication response. These include sleep and substance-use disorders. It also includes psychiatric conditions that are more highly associated with untreated ADHD in adults. (That is, living for years with untreated ADHD can increase incidence of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.)
— Physicians who believe in a “starting” or “average” dose
“There is no starting or average dose!” I’ve emphasized that in my lectures for years. That’s based on advice from the preeminent experts I respect most. Yet still, that seems the status quo. The trouble with this?
— Some people are slow metabolizers: an “average” dose might be too high for them.
In response to the side effects, they might give up on that medication entirely. Yet, if might be that a lower dose would work just fine.
— Some people are rapid metabolizers: an “average” dose might be far too little for them.
They “burn through it” too fast. They need a higher dose in order to get an average effect.
My scientist-husband and I wrote a 7-part series explaining metabolizing issues and more: Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications.
— Insurance reimburses poorly for psychiatric treatment
Yes, insurance companies share the blame. They do not reimburse psychiatric treatment at a rate commensurate with the expertise and time required. But physicians are responsible, too, for understanding basic protocols. Tools exist to help implement these measures with patients. No need to reinvent the wheel.
Are you thinking that single-payer health insurance is the solution, think again! The very worst countries when it comes to ADHD medication options are the single-payer healthcare countries. That includes the United Kingdom and Australia. France is far worse.
Many UK residents wait years even for an ADHD evaluation—only made worse by COVID.
In Australia, at least until very recently, adults cannot be diagnosed if they were not already diagnosed in childhood. Very handy, as pediatric ADHD was largely ignored except in the most extreme cases. Only recently was Vyvanse approved for us within the healthcare system, with the mainstay being dexedrine. Last I heard, Concerta was available for $100-150/month.)
— ADHD impatience —want to “feel” it than objectively measure it
Let’s be frank: Some people with ADHD love Adderall because it feels like a booster rocket attached to their back. And who can blame them? After years of struggling to turn intentions into reality, it’s happening!
The hard truth is, however, is this: You can’t depend on a “visceral feeling” to tell you when the medication is working. In fact, you might not even realize that the medication is working—or causing problems. But the people around you will!
Moreover, relying on that visceral feeling almost guarantees a bad end. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon. What if you’re so strung out you don’t even realize it?
Over-relying on a “booster rocket” to propel you through your day means using Adderall as a performance drug, not ADHD treatment. Even if it’s prescribed. Medication should help create more balance and self-regulation in learning new skills and habits.
Tragically, some patients (or their parents or partners) sometimes believe my cautions only after the fact. After all, I’m not a doctor. In other words, they write to me after the typical crash. That comes about two months into Adderall usage, in my observation. Sometimes longer.
That’s when they are completely depleted:
- Typically from exhaustion (why go to sleep when for the first time in your life you have “superhuman” focus?)
- But also perhaps due to Adderall’s unique mechanism of action, their very supply of neurotransmitters might be depleted.
I hate hearing, “Gina, you were right” when it means such personal tragedy.
— Parents’ and Loved Ones’ “Denial” of ADHD
Now we turn back to the NYT story for a moment. The story that finally prompted me to write this post in 2013, after years of warning about Adderall.
Did Richard Fee, the young man featured in the piece, truly not have ADHD, as his parents claim? Was he simply abusing Adderall as a “performance drug.” Perhaps, but the report shows no evidence of that.
Predictably, reporter Alan Schwarz showed little understanding of ADHD’s complexity. He gave lip service to ADHD as a legitimate condition—and then proceeded to rip it apart. Schwarz started as a sports reporter. Using his apparent penchant for statistics, he reported on sports concussions. His editors apparently found that qualified him as a neuroscientist — and sic’d him on ADHD.
As a former newspaper editor, I have seen the pattern: “Hot Dog” reporters who will do anything to land on the front page. (Now, online, it’s the featured story, highlighted on the website and promoted through social media.)
In reporting about Fee’s suicide, Schwarz rejected that ADHD sometimes had a way of “sneaking up” on people later in life. That’s when their innate intelligence and ability to get by in school without good study habits no longer are enough.
In other words, it might seem that these people are “abusing” stimulants when really they are seeking help. It might also be that they are suffering from poorly titrated and monitored prescription Adderall. Not to mention the sleep problems it often brings.
Could it be that Fee’s parents’ own denial systems came into play here? Perhaps Richard felt that at least these doctors believed him?
Richard Fee, the subject of The New York Times article—Prescribers Failing to Seek Third-Party Feedback
Please understand: Richard Fee’s parents have my deepest sympathies. It seems they truly tried to warn the physicians of what was happening to their son.
This story is not new to me. The partners of adults with ADHD try desperately to get through to the Adderall-prescribing physicians. They try explain that their partners are turning into rage-aholics. (The ADHD adults themselves seldom report increased anger and ability to their prescribers. They don’t want to lose access to their life’s long-missing focus.)
Yes, there are privacy laws. But that does not mean the prescriber cannot request such feedback—nor cannot accept it.
Did Fee have a condition such as bipolar disorder (either instead of ADHD or co-existing to it)? That is, did he have a particular vulnerability to Adderall abuse or addiction? Or, was that particular vulnerability ADHD? Perhaps he was mis-using Adderall to minimize sleep so he could study more and achieve. Thus, he compounded ADHD with sleep deprivation and amphetamine addiction? Next stop, psychosis.
We’ll never know. But I suspect that there were red flags throughout his childhood and young adulthood. The same will be true of many others.
Rest in peace, Richard.
— Excerpt: You, Me, ADHD’s Chapter on Medication
Now I’ll share with you now with an excerpt from my first book: Is It You, Me, or Adult ADHD?
Being passive risks, believing you can trust the average prescriber, risks a lot. No one cares more about your or your loved one’s life than you do.
Identifying ADHD symptoms and medically addressing them is not, for the most part, rocket science. It’s not even brain science. It’s step-by-step logic and observation. I teach this in Course 2 of my online training, on medication and sleep: Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle: Physical Strategies
Chapter 21: RX Treatment Results That Last
It took Alex two grueling years to convince his wife to seek an evaluation and then treatment for her diagnosis of ADHD.
“Now, who knows how long it will take me to convince her to ditch this psychiatrist, who refuses for no logical reason to prescribe stimulants and find one who actually understands ADHD,” he complains. “My wife is skeptical that I or this support group could know something her psychiatrist doesn’t. But trust me, it’s alarming how little this guy knows.”
Looking back, Alex wishes they’d been far more careful in selecting a physician.
In Jeanette’s case, the irony is that she never found her husband’s ADHD a problem—until after he started medical treatment for it.
“I used to go to bed at night thinking I’m the luckiest wife in the world,” she recalls. “Yes, Mike is lousy at paperwork and he doesn’t remember to take out the garbage (or what day it’s collected!). But he is fun, very goodhearted, and rarely gets angry, and loves being with me and the children.”
Then It All Changed
All that changed soon after Mike learned that he might have ADHD and decided to do something about it. He had recognized in himself the traits he didn’t like in his father. That included poor follow-through on promises. He wanted to do a better job with his own family. “His attitude was, ‘If treatment can help me to be a better person, why not?” Jeanette recalls.
Unfortunately, Mike’s personality changed completely after starting medication.
“I went from this perfect marriage to hating my life and being ready to leave him. The worst part was that he didn’t realize that things were getting worse, especially the anger, until we were in major trouble. As far as he was concerned, his focus was better so that was great. But in reality, his focus was unrelenting.”
Jeanette found the support group’s feedback critical to realizing what was happening. He was probably either on the wrong type of stimulant medication or at too high a dosage. She also learned how to find a more qualified physician and, more importantly, convince Frank that he was turning into a father far worse than his own.
Such stories are way too common for the support group’s comfort.
How Do We Navigate ADHD Medication Then?
We want to trust our physicians. Yet, many physicians, including psychiatrists, are poorly trained to treat Adult ADHD. Some know that and respect their limitations. Some don’t.
It’s important that you know this going in. Smart ADHD healthcare consumers can avoid common pitfalls and come out a success story.
“My message to those embarking on this journey,” Jeanette says, “is don’t be afraid of medication; it can bring great changes. Just be aware.”
Please know that, prescribing for ADHD is a straightforward issue. In fact, ADHD Partner Survey respondents report that when their partner started taking medication, symptoms improved significantly within:
- Hours (15 percent)
- Days (39 percent)
- Weeks (19 percent)
As Jeanette learned, however, the initial “promise” of medications to smooth out the ADHD roller coaster can soon peter out if one isn’t…paying attention.
How These Medication Chapters Can Help
The book’s three chapters on medication will support you and/or your partner in creating your own success story by helping you to:
- Avoid common pitfalls that lead to low treatment adherence.
- Understand that goal setting forms the foundation of successful medication treatment.
- Remember that each person has a unique biochemistry — no cookie cutters!
- Recognize that finding the best medication regiment requires a methodical process.
- Know that ADHD commonly coexists with other conditions, which must be considered in any treatment plan.
If you are familiar with this guidelines, you can better recognize competent care when you encounter it. And when you don’t encounter it? You can either keep moving or, if your choices are few, diplomatically help it along.
For More Information
—Other posts related to ADHD medications:
Visit ADHD Roller Coaster’s Medications category of posts
—Vyvanse Generics Roll Out — And Disappoint
—My first book, including medication chapters: Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?
—My NEW Course on ADHD Medications and Sleep: Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle — Physical Strategies
—I welcome your comments.
Gina Pera
The first version of this post appeared in 2013.
370 thoughts on “The Tragic Truth Of Prescription Adderall, or “Madderall””
Great post! I’ve been on Adderall for years, and your breakdown of the ‘Madderall’ side really hits home. It’s refreshing to see someone address the hype versus reality without judgment. Keep shining that spotlight!
Thank you so much for your post this saved my treatment and relationship.
I was given Adderall XR right out of the gate without trying anything else and I became a raging asshole in addition to terrible driver.
I finally changed providers and asked to try something else. I now have been on Concerta and Wellbutrin for a year and am far more stable and happier – this post helped me to advocate for myself since my previous provider said “if Adderall isn’t working for you then you don’t have ADHD”
Dear Mary,
Apologies that your comment went to spam—and just now came to my attention.
I’m so glad that you found it, and that you trusted me, took this information to heart, and self advocated. That is what it takes. And it’s not always easy. Good for you
Gina
My husband recently started taking Adderall for his ADHD. At first, I didn’t question it. He knows his own mind and body, and I trusted that he knew what he needed… or so I thought. Everything seemed fine in the beginning. He went through the proper steps — he saw his primary doctor, who referred him to a psychologist, and before long, the prescription was written.
I don’t believe he’s ever been formally diagnosed with ADHD, though. It felt like they simply took him at his word. They started him on the lowest dosage, and for about a month, things seemed normal. He still laughed the same, acted the same, loved the same.
Then came his follow-up appointment — month two. He told his doctor he wanted to increase the dosage, and they agreed without hesitation. No questions. No second opinions. And that’s when my nightmare began.
Over the next few weeks, something shifted. It wasn’t sudden, like flipping a switch, but gradual — small changes that slowly piled up until I realized I didn’t recognize the man in front of me anymore.
About three or four months after starting Adderall, my husband told me he wanted a divorce. Just like that.
We’ve both been through a lot this past year, and I won’t pretend things were perfect between us. But it wasn’t the kind of “bad” that ends a marriage. It was the kind that could’ve been fixed — with time, with effort, with love. But instead of working through it, he decided it was over. He told me his mind was made up, that nothing I could do would change it.
For weeks, I tried everything. I begged at first, desperate to hold on to the man I knew. But the harder I tried, the further he pulled away. So I stepped back, gave him space, hoping it would help. It didn’t. He became colder, more distant, and more certain than ever that he wanted out.
We’ve been together for five years, married for two. And the man standing in front of me now — he’s a stranger. His words, his tone, his eyes — everything feels different. It’s like the person I loved disappeared and someone else took his place.
His mother and I actually share the same primary doctor. She had an appointment this morning, and while she was there, she told the doctor everything — how drastically he’s changed, how all of this started around the time he began taking Adderall.
Thankfully, the doctor took it seriously. She’s flagged his prescription so he can’t refill it, and she’s requiring him to meet with the main physician and a counselor before he’s prescribed anything new. I don’t know what they’ll recommend, but I pray it’s something that helps him find himself again.
Even if our marriage can’t be saved, I just want to know that he can be. Because as much as I’m hurting, I still want him to be okay. I want him to come back — even if not to me, at least to himself.
Dear Hannah,
I’m very sorry to read your story. As you learned from reading the post, it’s an extremely familiar story. And it smacks of medical negligence.
It’s great that his mother took that step. Because he might get very angry at his “supply” being cut off. If you had done it, that could even be dangerous.
You say she’s requiring him to meet with the main physician and a counselor….this is the same physician? I would not risk it. If he did this in the first place, he won’t accept that he did anything wrong. And he obviously doesn’t know the first thing about ADHD treatment. The “counselor”? Yes, I would not put much trust in that person, either.
ADHD medication is not something we “win” or leave to chance. I encourage your mother-in-law at least to learn what the options are and work with your husband.
This is a very tricky situation, and things could go horribly wrong. For all concerned.
There is top-notch information in my online training here, with many free videos; please watch before you or your MIL does anything else. This is important.
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
Take care,
Gina
I am definitely someone that 20 mg of Adderall was a GOD SEND for and truly helped but my doctor out of the blue has decided I don’t need that dosage anymore. My life is a living hell again. There was no valid reason given to me except a false blood pressure reading taken that I proved was invalid but got absolutely no where. I have 7 months of daily readings and it meant nothing. I have never been someone who comformed to any norm that a total stranger determined and I have had a good relationship with my doctor until now. The few people I interact with have now stopped talking to me. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life this way knowing I was an excellent candidate for the dose I was on for years. I want my brain back but I don’t see it happening. My brain has the same ideas I had years ago of how to allieviate the noise going on. Thank you for letting me vent my total frustration with the “new” medication guidelines set by a exheroin addict, RFK, Jr., who has never met me.
Hi Caren,
I hear you. The very idea of low-count GRIFTERS dictating our healthcare policies should outrage all of us.
I’m sorry that the MD disappointed you.
Have you tried other stimulants? It might be that one or two other options work better, or at least as well but maybe in different ways, than Adderall. Maybe it would at least be helpful in the meantime, if in the end you find that Adderall still is the best option for you.
re: blood pressure readings. Some people have “white coat syndrome” — that is, their blood pressure goes up when they visit their doctor. :-). That was the case with my FIL, a hyperactive type. So we gifted him an at-home blood pressure cuff.
good luck!
g
0h I’m sorry…I understand the stress of knowing that at some point we’ll all be cut off, arbitrarily…I had a bad feeling that “bobby” might put some draconian restrictions on medications…I understand how all the old torturous, unproductive thoughts dominate your brain and there is no way to escape them! On the right dosage of adderall you can “rise above” these long lasting repetitive thoughts that will not allow you to focus! I feared these changes to the VA…why are you sure that you will not be able to get a new prescription? Can you see another physician? I apologize I have not read those guidelines yet…or been informed by my doctor…but she seemed really tense at our last telehealth appointment because the VA is being “reorganized.” It’s not fair to prescribe a drug to someone for years and then just cut them off without warning, without any ability to find another doctor. If we did not need the drug we would not be on the drug. “bobby” is on a crusade and as you say has a very checkered past and does not have the credentials to play with people’s lives. He is not even a physician! I really hate it when politicians stick their noses into our health care…I will take my chances! Bobby needs to focus on the kids and the food supply and keep his fingers off our meds! Hang tough and keep looking for a new doctor. You have every right to your meds.
I know you’re responding to Caren, Kris. But I’ll just point out that RFKJr made a fortune with a anti-vaxx “non-profit”. He targets children with his grifting disinformation, not just adults.
Moreover, it’s a total hijacking of our federal scientific grant foundation. Grants have been dropped in overwhelming numbers since February. Many scientists we know are moving elsewhere to conduct their research. GOOD scientists.
He does not know the difference between primary and secondary conditions, so he blames the 1918 flu deaths on other causes.
It’s much much bigger and more nefarious than most people realize.
g
Gina, it’s very concerning to say the least. He has very unconventional and controversial views for sure and needs to be challenged. Thanks for fighting the good fight, and providing a wealth of education and a place for us to share our experience and vent our frustrations. I’m going to dig deeper into what “bobby” is up to!
Hi Kris,
“Unconventional and controversial” doesn’t begin to describe it.
This is a GRIFT. It’s meant to destroy trust in our government and all its functions.
I’ve found instances where federal dollars are being funneled to red-state operatives to fund “research” on some fringe operator’s “medications.”
It’s all grift and destruction, sorry to say.
g
Adderall not only destroyed my relationship, but the very person I was set to marry. Something happened about three years into our relationship. She began having suspicions of infidelity, deceit, spying. These soon became more bizarre…being poisoned, sedated, surgeries performed while she slept, a multi prophet concerted conspiracy to defraud her, tarnish her reputation, commit her and take all her money.
In time I began to see a pattern; within a short time after taking her Adderall she would begin compulsively scroll on her phone, taking screenshot, photographs of photographs, copying source code from sites and texting them to myself and others in rapid fashion at all hours of the night, sometimes a hundred or more at a time.
Soon we had PET teams and law enforcement paying us regular visits all ti no avail. Her psychiatrist (I shudder to even give him that title for his direct role in her demise) reluctantly heard my pleas and record of what was transpiring and reduced her dosage. Their was an immediate a d marked improvement in her sleep, fewer and less severe bouts of delusions but they persisted.
I credit the Adderall for dissolving our engagement, her loss of custody, estrangement from friends and family and her imminent eviction and homelessness. I abhor this drug almost as much as those who prescribe it.
Dear Arthur,
That is horrifying!! I truly feel for you, living through that. And her as well.
I greatly appreciate your taking a minute to share your experience.
Most people, including psychiatric experts and people who have ADHD, don’t understand this complexity. So they might attack me for spreading disinformation and “fear-mongering” about medications for ADHD.
This is ridiculous, as I was among the first “public” educators on ADHD to promote medication — and also one of the very few rejecting all pharma industry support.
Humans don’t do complexity well.
take care,
g
With all due…adderall may have contributed to all these things, or exacerbated the situation…maybe…we only have your word for it…I get that you are upset…but to say that you hate doctors that prescribe this drug is irrational and extreme. Honestly your language and tone suggest that some self reflection could be in order. Demonizing a drug, the doctors who prescribe it…the next logical step is demonizing those who take it.
It’s a mistake to extrapolate your experience into everyone’s experience. To be completely honest, I would run from anyone who had this level of anger and hatred. Relationship problems are never one sided. And they cannot be reduced to a drug. If it were only so easy….
Hi Kris,
I get your point. I think it’s necessary to have a more expansive view here, based on years of experience.
Arthur is not exaggerating. I’ve heard it too often. And I will not contribute to gaslighting him. I’m sure he’s gotten enough of that.
And I also absolutely curse the prescribers who have swallowed that particular pharma’s aggressive marketing and send lives off the rails.
It’s not they are simply prescribing it. It’s that too many are blindly prescribing it, without monitoring, without third-party corroboration. Without ANY respect for evidence-based guidelines.
In fact, it’s almost axiomatic — prescribers who turn to Adderall first are the worst at treating ADHD. They hurt vulnerable people.
thanks for your comment,
Gina
This sounds like a highly Opinionated article lacking facts and substance, like for example “can negatively affect objectivity to the point where the person will not listen to others’ concerns.” Is not a result of adderall hate to break it to ya, thats a symptom of having ADHD which affects your executive funtion in the brain and causes people with adhd to either have a Hard time not interupting others not to mention the fact that most people who are struggling with ADHD can be highly sensitive on the subject matter because they are used to people that Dont have the illness giving their uneducated opinions on the matrer and being told their whole
life to “Try harder” or its because your “lazy” or “why do you talk so much” or “so loud” after a life time of these hurtful comments by the time your an adult your just sick of it especially when deep down you know that your probably try harder then anyone you know yet the results dont show it.
I’ll leave you with a cute story that happened to me when I first got diagnosed and prescribed adder-all at an effective dose to perhaps help you to truly understand its effectiveness when taken as prescribed. I will never forget how one day after about a couple weeks on the medication I hear my two little girls talking down the
hall and what got my attention was how my oldest
daughter exclaimed to her little sister “Bella! Come look!” she exclained, I wondered to myself hmm what it is, as I peeked around the corner My daughter was pulling her dresser drawers opened in excitement to show her sister the > For the first time ever in their life neatly folded & organized drawers of clothing (something that prior despite how “hard I tried” I could never fully accomplish or complete said task due to being born with a brain that has a gap in executive function) This moment brought me to tears and made fully realize and appreciate the therapeutic function when taken appropriately and quiet honestly after that gave me the confidence to not really care or be so hurt by others OPINIONS any longer not because I had “Maderall” lol
Thanks for your comment, Hope. I very glad you found Adderall helpful.
If you read the article, you understand that I presented this issue with much gray area.
Your experience is an “n” of 1. I have an “n” of thousands — and the science and published literature.
I have been a long-time advocate of medication for ADHD, since 1999. Back when it was even more clouded in disinformation and confusion. No one has served the public more and better in understanding how the medications work and finding access to them. And I’ve done it without taking a penny of pharma support. That’s extremely rare for an ADHD advocate. But I felt it necessary to have credibility.
Your mistaking me for someone who castigates stimulants in general suggests that you didn’t read the piece and don’t know my work at all, or perhaps your own ADHD interferes with your ability or interest in doing so. Or maybe Adderall is not working for you as well as you think it is.
Gina
Hi Gina,
So I have tried Adderall and Vyavanse. Till today I used to think Vyvanse 30 mg works for me but today it gave me same issue which Adderall 15 mg and 10 mg gave me, knotting feeling in stomach. My stomach becomes so tight. It happens by the time it is wearing out mostly.
I drink plenty of water, have perfect healthy balanced diet, i get plenty of exercise and water.
I am not sure what is causing this knotting/tightness/feels like someone is trying to pull my stomach from inside.
History: I had Hpylori bacterial infection in sept 2024, honestly it started right after 20 days of using adderall, till date i have not found the link but maybe because I wasn’t taking 2 to 3 meals a day. But my hpylori cured in jan 2025. And till date I have had no issue and I have been taking very good care of gut with no smoking no alcohol, plenty of fiber, protein and good diet.
However, when I started Vyvanse two days back, day 1 was fine, day 2 I started having the tightness and knotting feel by the end of the day.
Hi Kapil,
Unfortunately, sometimes what works for the brain doesn’t work for the rest of the body.
But, you say it happens by the time the Vyvanse is wearing off? That means it might be “rebounding.” Maybe you could use a second, lower dose. So you taper off more gradually.
Are you sure it was Hpylori and not the effects of 20 days of Adderall? Absolutely, the amphetamines in particular can cause this kind of abdominal tension/tightness.
If you haven’t tried a methylphenidate stimulant, you should do that. Everyone should get a trial of both classes (and sometimes multiples in each category). Because you don’t know what suits better until you try it.
good luck!
Gina
Yes Gina It was Hpylori I went through all the treatment and stuff. Got all the tests done.
But I do think it has something to do with Adderall.
Yes, certainly Adderall could have created conditions that exacerbated any vulnerabilities.
Glad you got it taken care of!
g
In my experience, the VA is not interested in any treatment per se, but they do regularly refill my adderall. Truthfully I am grateful that my primary care physician is willing to prescribe because I feel it might be more difficult under the new health czar, Bobby! Honestly, once you have been on adderall for an extended time it’s impossible to imagine life without it. I have to admit it does have side effects but the benefits outweigh the risks. If and when the powers that be determine that I am no longer able to take stimulants (due to age perhaps) I do hope they have a back up plan because I cannot imagine my life at this point unmedicated. My attention span has gotten worse, not better. My tolerance has increased and I now exceed my dosage most days. I am prescribed 40 and I will go up to 50 because if I don’t hit the sweet spot then I am left frustrated and unproductive. Madderall indeed…but the right dose does calm me down. Sometimes I wish I had never been prescribed adderall because I feel, no I am dependent and that makes me feel not good. Not free.
The fact is that most of us are not capable of implementing various strategies without professional help and or stimulants.
Not surprised by the NYT. I’ve learned not to take anything the media at face value. You will be deceived. They all have an agenda. In short, they lie.
Thank you Gina for all you do.
Hi Kris,
Thanks for your comments. I’m glad the VA doc is coming through for you.
You know, if you’ve never tried another stimulant, it might be worth a trial or two. Maybe Vyvanse, which now comes in a patch: https://www.xelstrym.com/#adhd-medication
You wouldn’t have to give up Adderall. Just do a trial of it for a week or so.
Adderall is the most powerful stimulant, and that’s what some folks need. For others, it’s too much.
Meanwhile, you want to give it all the building blocks you can muster. That means taking a good multi-vitamin/mineral and making sure you can a variety of healthy proteins. Not “high-protein” but sufficient. Especially in the morning.
Oh, and make sure you’re getting enough restorative sleep.
Good luck to you and all of us!
g
Hello,
I have been prescribed Adderall in my adulthood. I took it for a few years, then I went off then during the pandemic. I was off Adderall for 3 years. My ADHD was horrible, unmedicated I am more of a people pleaser, and people like that, although it doesn’t work out for me. It’s easier to just nod and say yes instead of constantly asking people to repeat themselves, it’s harder to put up a fight. I went back on my meds in 2023, and I never want to go off them ever again.
Unmedicated, people took advantage of me, being medicated made me realize to what extent it was happening. I can disagree with people and verbally express it.
Living with ADHD communication is not easy, the meds help me communicate better, even if it is stuff people do not want to hear. Instead of doing what I am told more, I am advocating for myself.
People are not going to like that change in behavior.
Also, getting a prescription is no easy task. It’s a big reason why I remained of my meds for so long. Jumping through all those hoops, and being treated like a criminal for just needing meds is not fun. (Although I have found a doctor and a few pharmacies that do not have a stigma against Adderall) All those hoops are worth it though, because the alternative is going back to being a living zombie yes man, I never ever want to go back to that.
Hi Matt,
I absolutely support your right to Adderall! And also for anyone else who benefits.
This is a complex story, as I try to explain in the post.
I’d wager that 70% of people taking Adderall have never tried anything else. THAT is a problem.
good luck
g
Hi Gina,
It could be the area I live in (it’s pretty conservative), but I was first prescribed the non-stimulant Stratera when I was 18 for my ADHD. I was on them for a short time, and I exhibited some those negative symptoms you described in your article. I was irreatible and moody, I felt like a robot, my left brain was functioning well, but it stifled my right brain, It took away my creativity. I mentioned it to my doctor, and he increased my dosage, he said it takes a few weeks to start working, I waited a few weeks and things got worse. I went off them and it wasn’t till years later I was able to get an Adderall prescription.
I think that prescribers getting reports from family and friends is a bad idea. It infringes the doctor patient confidentially.
I told my parents that I was taking Adderall before the pandemic, and THEY started to act differently, not me, they told me my behavior was different and they didn’t like it.
When I went back on my meds I didn’t say anything to anyone. And low and behold, they said nothing.
It’s way better when people don’t know you are being medicated.
To anyone who is criticizing someone who has ADHD or any mental health condition for that matter; I suggest you read The Politics of Experience by R.D. Lang. He questioned the treatment of people with schizophrenia. He proposed that when people are treated like they are crazy (for lack of a better word), then they will act out. He found that when treating schizophrenic people in a calm and dignified manor their behavior greatly improved. But when they are held against their will or talked down to, their symptoms worsened.
I believe Lang’s work can apply to many other things as well, including ADHD.
Hi Matt,
The joke in my local Adult ADHD group, for years, was someone reporting increasingly intense side effects to their prescriber — “all my hair’s fallen out, I’ve sprouted a third arm, and I’m now seeing out of my ears” — only to be told “Double the dosage.”
That’s straight from the pharma rep playbook, and it’s a menace.
Sure, sometimes it’s a bad idea to get corroboration on medication from third-parties, especially if they are not well-educated in ADHD and have a lot of superstitious thinking toward it. But sometimes, medication truly can change things for the worst.
If not family, sometimes a good friend. Someone who can say, “Hmmm, buddy, you seem to be a lot more irritable lately.”
Because the hard truth is, these medications can skew perceptions. One can either believe or not believe that, but it’s the truth. It’s just logical…medication that can change cognition for the better can also change it for the worse, and it can reduce self-awareness.
Strattera works for maybe 30% of adults with ADHD. It works best for most in combination with a stimulant.Seldom as monotherapy. Docs would jack up the dose for guys in my local group and I could almost see what had happened by the worried, embarrassed looks on their faces. Some very troubling genito-urinary side effects.
I believe in treating people with ADHD, diagnosed or not, with the same respect I’d give anyone else. I take them at their word when they explain how something feels. I offer strategies that will help them get where they want to go.
But, if your “n” is 1, yourself, you might not understand the huge range of potential behaviors among this highly variable syndrome.
take care
g
Hi Gina,
This is probably getting buried is a sea of comments, probably no one else is going to read this, and it’s just helping this article, but…
It should come down between the prescriber and the patient. It should be a matter of personal choice. Education is key, not forcing people to go off meds, or further regulations, or more artificial shortages.
I am much better off on Adderall, but by saying that people on it could be worse off and not even realize it, can diminish any argument I present.
It’s a scary thing to think a doctor can decide at any point that I should no longer be taking my meds. It’s why I stayed off them for 3 years, but I saw what my life was turning into, and I realized I needed to take that risk.
To anyone who may have unlikely scrolled this far into the comments,
my advice is to not tell anyone you are taking them, because as soon as you do, you will never be allowed to get angry, every negative thing people see in you, will be the meds.
By not telling anyone you are on them, you are free to focus and think straight, without people constantly scrutinizing you. which is a valid reason to get frustrated if not angry.(but of course being frustrated will be perceived as anger, until anger inevitably occurs, then it will be because of the meds).
This may not be the case for everyone, but it’s definitely the case for me and many others, as well.
This solution virtually solved any problems I have had in the past with Adderall. I no longer have to walk on egg shells around people.
Personal freedom and freedom of choice and all that good stuff.
I feel like I am living in a time where I need to be defensive about this sort thing.
There, I said what I needed to.
Take care.
Happy to have you note your perspective, Matt.
g
Dear Ms Gina
Thank you so much for this invaluable resource. I was so frustrated with the same ol same ol search results but I came upon a treasure trove of information to help get through this process. I think I got really scared tbh….so my mental and physical state was actually deteriorating taking adderall and I knew it’s now or never. The prospect of life without adderall scared me and THAT scared me more! I’m so relieved. I do not need this drug. I can function without this drug, cause everyone knows deep inside sooner or later that adderall will be withdrawn so may as well get ahead of the game. The health care does feel like a game…and they are going by their playbook…what they are trained to do. Thank you so much for your reply and especially for this website. I look forward to educating myself further.
“I AM SO GLAD I RAN OUT OF ADDERALL” was my search result. And when I saw your article I clicked on it.
I’ve been on adderall for about 11 years, starting out at 20 mg per day and currently prescribed 40.
At first it was a lifesaver, and it was….but what I did not realize, among many other things, some of which you address in this article, is how its effects gradually change and change YOU, and not always for the better. Much depends on what you focus on. And it requires tremendous discipline.
I will say that I do have ADD, caused by early childhood trauma. My symptoms were and are absolutely real, but as you say, they are complex…and adderall changes your brain chemistry and you become slavishly dependent on the drug.
This month I ran out of adderall because my prescription is one of millions I’m sure floating around the USPS, a week late with no updates.
My gut told me that I would not get my script, so I just had to settle in and accept that fact. I slept alot for a couple days, but on day 2 or 3 I got mad and went for a walk around the lake for the first time in months in the chilly air and I began to wake up a little….and I realized I feel I have been in the bottom of a deep pit that’s filling up and I can’t keep up. Yet I work CONSTANTLY.
I realized I am so sick of working all the time to this slavish drug. It’s like adderall was making me more tired.
I don’t want to be dependent on something that can so easily be withheld from me at any moment. It gives others a tremendous amount of power over me.
I’m not saying that I am going to quit but my eyes have been opened. I checked my mailbox today and today is day 4 with no adderall and I feel great because I am taking matters into my own hands.
The most sobering part is that I have been attentive to taking care of everything but my own health. Because I ran out I could see that I can do this. I might need a little help now and then. I don’t believe in going to extremes.
Everyone assumes that stopping will be awful. It doesn’t have to be if you are ready. If you are not that’s ok too.. We’re all trying to figure it out.
It’s such a powerful drug I owe it to myself to see how I do and so far after a rough couple days I feel better than I have in a long long long time. I don’t want to be a lifetime patient. It’s the only drug I take. I’m 66 years of age.
I can’t wait to read everyone’s stories.
Dear Kris,
Thanks for participating in the discussion. I’ve been thinking this is the best possible outcome of all this mess…..revisiting the medication situation.
There is absolutely no shame in trying other stimulants that might work better than turning you into the Energizer Bunny. Adderall can really push folks into that go-go-go existence without allowing time to reflect on priorities, the big picture, etc..
The situation is a mess with the junk generics for Vyvanse and Concerta. But thereh are many other options. Most docs don’t know anything but 3-4 Rx for ADHD, so research your options and ask them to work with you to find good outcome.
Thanks again,
Gina
Hi Gina,
I found your website yesterday after days, weeks, months of researching ADHD and Vyvanse and looking for answers. A little backstory, I have known my husband for 8 years and we have been married for 6. We met his first year of medical school. He was incredibly kind, empathetic, charismatic, and very easy to be around. He was what I would describe as my “prince.” His parents have been married for over 35 years, as have mine. He always preached God, family values, that he had only ever wanted to be a husband and father. I moved my life across the country to be with him while he was in school and I doted on him for years and supported him financially. He matched into residency and we moved across the country again for his job. He started residency in the summer of 2020 and just finished a few months ago in July.
He told me early in the relationship that he was on Adderall and got it prescribed in college when he was pre-med. His mother states he never had attention/focus issues as a child and was an amazing student growing up. He told me he went to a provider and basically rattled off typical ADHD symptoms and got it prescribed. I did not know much about these medications and will say I was completely ignorant and thought they were largely to focus and help him study. In medical school he stated he needed it for school, then in residency it was to get through residency and the long hours. Over the years, whenever a board exam was coming up, I would see him double up and eventually run out of medication prior to his prescription being filled and he would have to ask classmates for more. I am kicking myself in hindsight.
We had our daughter in July 2021 after his first year in residency. Throughout the years I often heard how much he loved me, couldn’t do it without me, etc. I started seeing depression, lack of sleep, severe binge drinking, the stimulant use, caffeine use, nicotine gum to just get through the day. He was often up all night, sleeping all day if he wasn’t working. I worried incessantly and begged him to see a psychiatrist for the depression, to cut back on the alcohol. He assured me he would get off the stimulants after residency and the depression was just “situational” and we would be ok when he was done. He begged me for another child. I got pregnant again his last year of residency. I was 4 months pregnant in January, we’re 6 months from being done with his residency journey and moving close to family and truly starting our lives. We got pre-approved for a house in January and the same week he sits me down and tells me “we’re not in love anymore. He’s not getting financially entangled with me and we’re not buying a house” which contradicts everything he was previously telling me. Things escalate rather quickly. Our relationship turns very toxic while I am pregnant. He becomes very verbally, emotionally, and financially abusive. His temper overnight seemingly went through the roof, raging on me if I even look at him the wrong way, becomes super controlling. I am a week postpartum and he’s throwing a rag filled with our newborn son’s poop at me, screaming at me and calling me horrific names I won’t mention. He plays the victim and acts like he’s a saint, takes no accountability for anything. None of this had occurred prior to January. He was very normal, if he said something rude he would apologize. Now he’s locking me in our room and saying I deserved it. One minute he loves me and the next he cannot stand me and is threatening divorce every week. He had always been a “we’re never getting divorced” type previously. To wrap it up, he refused counseling for himself, refused couples therapy throughout these months. In my opinion, he turned into a complete monster overnight. I don’t recognize my husband anymore. My friends and family are stunned and cannot believe this is the same person we all knew and loved for years. He started getting more and more out of control and violent and when we moved again in July he moved out weeks later in August. He was very erratic and would say and do things that just completely contradicted each other. He just filed for divorce two weeks ago and then called me crying the same night saying he doesn’t want to do it.
Months into this rollercoaster he casually mentioned he switched from Adderall to Vyvanse in November. We started having these significant issues in January. I started wondering if the personality changes I saw were due to the medication. He gets irate if I mention the Vyvanse. He is adamant the medication has nothing to do with our marriage falling apart and I am the problem. Right before we moved states in July, the provider (who was not a psychiatrist) prescribed him 90 pills at 60 mg, probably to give him enough time to find a different provider once moved. He told me he was doubling up his Vyvanse before his last board exam in July. He told me he was getting off the stimulants in August and sure enough, I don’t know if he was ever truly off of them because he’s still on them. Now it’s to use them for the “long hours” and he claims he’s taking them a couple times a week, but refusing to get off of them until his last oral board in May 2025. I guess what I am asking is – do you think these massive personality changes are due to the Vyvanse? If you have abused stimulants for years on top of little sleep, caffeine, alcohol use will you ever go back to the person you once were? How long would it take for him to be “normal” once permanently off (if he does ever get off since I believe he has a dependency issue)? Am I just grasping at straws here?
Dear Michelle
I’m sorry to read of your horrifying experience.
Honestly in my experience MDs abused my amphetamines have been some of the most difficult people to help.
I wish I could answer your questions but I can’t. No one can. It sounds like he is abusing Vyvanse— taking too high dosesPerhaps he is even getting generic Vyvanse and experiencing side effects not typically experienced with the brand.
And if he’s also losing sleep and eating poorly and consuming caffeine and maybe cannabis and who knows what all, He could be experiencing psychosis.
I would take with a grain of salt whatever his mother said about him having no challenges growing up. Sometimes parents have many reasons for remaining in “denial” of their children’s mental health issues. Which often mirror their own.
I would make it your priority to protect yourself financially, physically, and emotionally. And your children, too.
It might be that his best chance is checking into some kind of addiction treatment facility. They don’t have a great reputation. But he’s obviously going to need help from somebody.
Best of luck to you
Gina
Great article Gina- Very well written. As an Australian MD, PhD (with ADHD and relationship issues!) I have reviewed your article. It was objective, informative and scarey. We don’t have Adderall down under thank God (its sounds like Meth in higher doses!). Keep up the fight and shinning the light on this issue.
G MAC
Dear Gerry,
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you’re finding good guidance for the relationship issues. It’s all kinds of complex, beyond the realm of most therapists. Including couple therapists.
What’s scariest about Adderall is the confluence of aggressive marketing and prescribers not questioning beyond it.
It still will be the best choice for a minority of people. And it’s a shame that those people suffer due to others’ negligence.
take care,
Gina
Man… This article validated a lot of things my wife has been saying that I thought were bogus. I was diagnosed with the “inattentive” type of ADHD a few years ago, but didn’t seek medication. I revisited this a few months ago after my inattentiveness was piling up in several areas of my life, particularly in my marriage and at work. I wanted help, and still do.
I was prescribed 20mg XR Adderall from a telehealth provider, but requested to start at the lowest dose, which was 10mg. After the first month, I felt it wasn’t doing much and went to 15mg. I thought it was working well. I’ve been more focused at my job, better able to express my thoughts, and less overwhelmed when there are lots of things going on.
Meanwhile, my wife is saying we argue more. She says it’s made me cold, irritable, and argumentative. I dismissed this. I thought this was just me expressing the things I’d been unable to express before because I had more organized thoughts. It all came a head last night after she hid my meds from me, which made me quite angry. I didn’t take the Adderall yesterday thought (I don’t take it on weekends usually).
So here I am the next day, writing this instead of working. I agree with some of the stuff here. Maybe it has changed my personality. But if I stop taking it, where does that leave me? I’ll be right back where I started, where my poor attention span was causing me issues at work and at home. This is probably the lesser of two evils given my wife’s feedback. But not sure where to go from here…
Hi Matt,
It’s not your fault. You were acting on your diagnosis. You “got help”. Trouble is, that help steered you wrong.
But you’re in luck, because I have a great resource for you and your wife. See below.
It’s not just “Tele-health” — though the headlines have been attributing that to the “Adderall problem”.
It’s everywhere.
Prescribers don’t know how to treat ADHD, so they throw Adderall at it.
You have MANY other options. There are many other stimulants, the first-line medication for ADHD.
One choice isn’t right for everyone. Genetics are too variable.
The thing is, treating ADHD involves being methodical. For starters, having treatment goals and knowing what behaviors are symptoms (and respond to medication) and which require other interventions.
The trouble with NOT knowing this is expecting the medication to do everything. Then ratcheting up the dosage. Then….everything breaks down.
It’s important to try at least two choices in one class and then the other (methylphenidate and amphetamine).
I’m having my 30th anniversary sale right now, so my courses are 30% off. You two could TRULY benefit from learning about the right way to approach medication. Because, sorry to say, you are unlikely to find this from prescribers, online or in person.
No kidding.
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
good luck!
g
P.S. ADHD medication should be taken on the weekends, too.
Dear Lori
Thank you for your amazingly insightful comment. It’s the end of the day for me now so I will keep it short, but wow so thoughtful.
It’s unbelievable to me, and yet I’ve come to expect it, that your prescriber fails to mention any other alternatives.
Seems that marketing sunk in Hook line and sinker and he’s blinded to evidence based treatment. It’s sickens me, and an entire “advocacy” industry would rather “gaslight me” than contemplate their complicity and culpability. But truth is truth, and it’s not hard to tell when one’s focus is truly on the people being “advocated” for.
Please do consider trying something else. There could be a stimulant that will work well for you without the side effects that you describe.
As for what your family has come to expect of you, they may be saying this is black and white as your prescriber. That it’s Adderall or nothing. Because they don’t know better.
I will revisit this tomorrow. I just didn’t want you to think that your comment had gotten lost.
Take care
Gina
I’m so damn thankful for you and this.
I’ve been searching so long (to no avail until today- yay you!!) to understand this medication that’s been rude to my psyche for just shy of 20 years. My Dr saw that I was struggling and asked me to read this book and come back with my thoughts .. oh I didn’t have to get past the first chapter. of course-absolutely attention deficit here’s your adderal- I was very thankful for it to be handled in that way considering it’s difficult trying to explain yourself when being diagnosed..-however for me it’s been much more difficult to untie the knot. For many years i’ve contemplated my diagnosis bc of problems that have come along with my medication. It maybe initially created what would be considered a hypomanic state…well who’s going to be upset with that!?!! In retrospect, I see so many if the changes that were happening… alcohol abuse being the most prevalent also the significant decline in character. If I were to give myself a week off of Adderall… Its like a different person. On it, I’ll watch reality TV( no judgment, I love it)- drink too much wine and obsessively play solitaire on my phone for hours… but off of it, it’s classic films or being happy to cook or maybe read.. it’s just very different. When I take it, all of the good parts go dormant. The problem always goes like this… I am more engaging and available when I take it -so even though now that it’s really getting real and so bad, and I have these anger issues through the roof… my loved ones still want me to take it. Or at least they want me to behave like the best part that it gives me. I try to make up for it w/ cooking for them but they got addicted to who I actually am not going to be able to be for some time. I try to explain that I need a couple of months and perhaps that part of me will come back but it’s very difficult for your loved ones when they need you to be a certain way and you can’t. I don’t know if it’s even relatable, but my brain goes to screw it mode-give me an Adderall and I know as soon as it kicks in I’ll want to chain smoke cigarettes and then I’ll order wine. It affects everyone. It’s been really difficult to acknowledge – but even speaking w/ my doctor about the negatives and when he still want me to continue w/ it- I feel relieved. There is absolutely something manipulative in this brain that’s afraid to lose that dopamine. Had I written this without Adderall it would be three sentences… definitely embarrassed and apologies. It’s been so impossible to find the answers that you’ve made so available- I thank you so much! It really does mean everything. You give people the knowledge to be able to advocate for themselves. You are goodness- thank you thank you- bless you
This article is my life. These comments are my life. It is so heartbreaking to fight for your loved one and they just keep telling you it’s not the medication, it’s you. Begging family to help but they don’t have a front seat like you do so they don’t know how to help or don’t care.
My partner doesn’t have ADHD. We are addicts in recovery. My partner decided one day that he could get legal speed covered by insurance if he went to the right place and answered the questions the right way. This doctor is over an hour away, I’m sure there are others closer but this was the one giving access. Since he started this medication, I’ve seen him become paranoid, anxious, depressed, he excludes himself from the family, he’s angry and defensive, just a jekyl and Hyde situation if you will. The anger is so quick and unexpected, it makes my head spin. It’s such a rollercoaster. Not just for me but our children as well. One wrong comment from me and man, if looks could kill. It breaks my heart the look of hate over something trivial. The punishment NEVER fits the crime.
He is in complete denial and will go off the deep end at any mention of his medication being the issue. He takes them as prescribed but he’s not being honest about what they’re doing to him. I need these people to know that he’s lying to them. I found a paper from his last visit that says he said he is not depressed, anxious or insomniatic and no adverse side effects. I beg to differ on all counts. Like literally begging these people to listen to me. I hate them so much for giving these drugs to my partner. It has literally ruined our lives and if I talk about the way I am treated I am the biggest betrayer of all time. I am supposed to suffer in silence. I don’t know how much more I can take.
Hi there
I’m so sorry this is happening to you.
Honestly? That prescriber should lose their license. Unconscionable. To not even ask!
That company has a LOT to answer for. Slippery con artist they are, they will never be held accountable.
I cannot tell you what to do. I can tell you….so can other folks commenting here…it doesn’t end well if no one stops it.
If my husband were doing as you described, I would write the prescriber a sternly worded letter, holding the prescriber responsible for adverse outcomes caused by FAILURE to monitor the medication and get third-party feedback.
Will your husband get dangerously angry as a result? Will he take his anger out on you? That’s something to seriously consider. And perhaps go stay with family for a few days. Or at a shelter.
By the way, your husband is abusing a controlled substance. I would not be so sure he doesn’t have ADHD, though. Many people in recovery do. Same for bipolar.
Please take care of yourself.
Gina
Vyvanse is ruining my life. My husband has been on it for years coupled with a mood stabilizer. He is ADHD and bi-polar. He frequently stops taking his bi-polar medication and will just take Vyvanse. I saw another commenter mention their husband going on “benders” with these drugs. Yes. That is how it is here. He blasts through a month’s prescription. He always has done this. In the past the worst that would happen is he would just be sleepless then eventually crash.
For these past few months though something has changed. He is in full blown mania, staying up until 4AM though he has work at 8, refusing to take his bi-polar meds, and lashing out at me when I try to suggest he speak to his doctor or talk to his parents about things. When I try to help him I am instantly the enemy. I could go on and on about the new, strange behaviors that have manifested, but I won’t. It is getting so bad though. The delusions are non-stop. I feel so stressed and alone.
I spoke to his doctor a few months ago and he told my husband to lay off the Vyvanse. He did, began taking his bi-polar meds, and subsequently improved. The cycle is now repeating, and he refuses to speak to the doctor. There is nothing I can do. He is a grown man after all. I just have to watch him spiral and spiral and pray to God he doesn’t do something rash, stupid, or dangerous. I wish this evil drug would get out of our house! It is ruining our lives! When he runs out of it and has to wait for his next re-fill he goes into a huge crash. Sleeps constantly, irritable, depressed, hopeless. It’s one extreme to another.
Wives who have husbands who basically go nuts on these meds have no advocates. We have no recourse. I am a good Catholic. I do not believe in divorce. Everyone recommends that like it is some kind of silver bullet. It’s not for me. What do you do with a husband who just refuses to get help though? I love him, and I do not want to leave him. I am just lost. Sorry for the rant. I just have literally no one to vent to. I’m just suffering in silence basically.
Hi there,
That sounds like an AWFUL situation. You have my sympathies. I’m sorry you feel so alone. But I bet you’re not as powerless as you seem to think you are.
Before this problem gets a LOT worse, I encourage you to consider taking charge. No one else will do it, from what you say.
The MD seems clueless. I can’t imagine prescribing Vyvanse for someone with bipolar at all. Amphetamines are always going to pack a bigger punch. And for someone with bipolar+ADHD, it’s too big a punch.
(Is it possible that some people with bipolar+ADHD will do well on Vyvanse, once bipolar is stabilized? Anything’s possible. But I would not count on it.)
You might need to come out of your “denial” that your husband is a “grown man”. That doesn’t mean he’s in his right mind. You describe someone abusing an amphetamine and not taking his bipolar medication. This is SERIOUS.
Failure to act could result in huge consequences, for YOU and your husband.
I won’t tell you what to do, of course. BUT, If I were in your shoes, I would write to the prescriber a letter whose delivery USPS will document (proof of delivery). Explain what is happening and that you will hold the MD responsible for adverse consequences due to failing to monitor the amphetamine prescribed for a patient with bipolar disorder.
As for “denial,” please read my first book. Three chapters on it, from a science angle, not a psychobabble angle.
https://amzn.to/3HxNX8r
I hope you come to see yourself as not a “helpless little wife.”
best of luck
Gina
The formatting of the website was so f – ing terrible you literally ruined anything good you had to say
Do you even have ADHD ???
Who of us do you think is going to deal with your endless rambling ….
Literally terrible. You suck, do better.
How kind of you to comment.
You provide no details of what you call the “formatting” of the website.
in contrast to the slick websites you might be accustomed to seeing in ADHD land, I’ve never accepted pharma industry funding. Unlike perhaps 80% of sites, which are fronts for one sleazy pharma that has wrecked too many lives.
Maybe you mean the fact that the post is long. I explain why that is, and why I cannot reduce it. Talk to the Google gods about it. There are subheads and hyperlinks.
Tip: Adderall might not be working for you as well as you think it is. For example, with reading comprehension, mood, judgment, and empathy.
Gina
My fiance and I both have ADHD. His is more severe than mine.
I intermittently take 7.5-15mg adderall once in the morning. I make sure I’m well fed and well rested if it’s going to be an “adderall day,” because it certainly does amplify any preexisting agitation.
My partner takes no precautions. He frequently goes on “benders,” re-dosing constantly and sometimes not sleeping for two or three days in a row. Sometimes he will only sleep every other night for up to two weeks. Often he will start this cycle in a state of manic joy, thrilled about his work, about us, about our future and our children.
At some point, a switch flips.
“Irritable” would be a massive understatement. Nothing I do is right or sufficient. If I even enter the room at the wrong moment he becomes enraged at the sight of me. He will say incredibly cruel things and sometimes he will tell me that I need to leave because he wants to physically hurt me. When he stays up long enough, he sees “shadow people.”
I can’t understand why he lets it get to this point, and I’ve lost so much respect for myself for staying. He dupes me over and over again. This has gone on for years now.
If I leave, he will take me to court for joint custody and I won’t be able to be there to protect my kids. All of this, for what? A glorified study drug. Something that helps him fill out spreadsheets and not forget his car keys. It’s a joke.
Dear Em,
I can appreciate the tough — and hurtful— spot you are in.
Many people with ADHD don’t understand my message here. In an understandable effort to de-stigmatize stimulant ADHD, they will say, “People with ADHD aren’t abusing stimulants. It’s neurotypicals doing that.” Sadly, that is just not the full truth.
Even people with ADHD who never intend to use a stimulant as a “performance drug” often get lured into that by the fast-on “jolt” from Adderall. Instead of supporting brain function and developing supportive strategies for Executive Functions, they use Adderall to blast through their day.
I guess your fiance doesn’t realize he is inviting psychosis with those “benders.” He could end up in a very bad way. You can’t abuse your brain like that and suffer no consequences. It seems that you or your children also might be in physical danger.
I’d say for you, it’s critically important to maximize your ADHD treatment. It might not seem that you are using Adderall in the same way he is, but on some level you are. Taking it as a performance drug.
ADHD treatment should be consistent day to day—and lasting as long as possible 24-7. These medications affect not just “focus” or “impulsivity” but a massive range of physiological functions. Our bodies like homeostasis — that is, stability. Not wild swings in all directions.
In my long experience, you might have more options here than you realize. For example, if you could get on a more consistent medication. Perhaps not an amphetamine but a methylphenidate, maybe your different behavior could catch his attention. He might see the positive changes you’re making and be curious about how you are doing it.
It might take getting used to. People who start with Adderall and get accustomed to the “buzz” as it kicks in often think a different stimulant “isn’t working.” That’s because feeling buzzed is not an indication of “working”. We look for more subtle changes. Such as being able to read a book chapter that put us to sleep before. Or, getting healthy meals on the table, before 9 pm. Or whatever it is that would challenge you even if you had a more stable partner.
I suspect that your optimizing your approach to ADHD will also strengthen your confidence in making decisions about your life. There are always options. When we are clear-headed and less vulnerable to fear and threats, we can see them better.
Please take care of yourself.
Gina
My adult daughter began a google quest to self diagnose her symptoms of anxiety, depression, panic, and a life of many emotional roller coaster rides. She has always been unable to control her emotions and feels everything in the most extremes.
About 18 months ago she became very focused on autism and adult ADHD as the most likely diagnosis of her condition. A psychiatrist prescribed Adderall, I do not know the dosage.
My daughter is married with two toddlers. Before the ADHD diagnosis and use of Adderall, we enjoyed an extremely close relationship. I cannot stress how close we were and how much time we spent together. She was also very close with all her siblings and grandparents.
Over time she became extremely thin. She was very withdrawn and no longer really able to engage with her family. She became obsessed with health issues for herself and her youngest son. Seeking endless tests and doctors to find “something “ wrong with them. I believed obsessive search may have been caused by the Adderall. Her young boys have become wild and are not pleasant to be around. Although they are only 2 and 4 years old, they cuss like sailors and are physically aggressive. Before my daughter started taking Adderall, I thought she was the most excellent mother and she did an amazing job of parenting. Everything has changed dramatically.
In January I told my daughter that I was concerned that Adderall may not be the appropriate medication for her. A switch flipped immediately and she started telling me that it all makes sense now; she said that I have always been the problem and went on in a long rambling rant. Since that day she refuses to speak to me face to face or on the phone, see me, or let me see the kids. She has sent hundreds, maybe thousands of delusional, brutal, even threatening texts to me, my husband, and all six of her siblings. She rambles on with hate and venom towards me and if she can’t get agreement, she turns her wrath on whoever she’s texting. She is unable to work, her husband lost one of his jobs and healthcare benefits because he has been trying to work too many shifts to cover for the loss of income now that my daughter can no longer work. They are in financial crisis.
Unfortunately, my son in law will not get help. He keeps saying it’s between my daughter and I and he has to stand by his wife.
There has clearly been little monitoring by her psychiatrist, my daughter admits she doesn’t discuss the endless texting wars with her. There is absolutely NO third-party feedback. I believe she is delusional and maybe experiencing psychosis from the Adderall use. The things she texts are completely off the wall, she jumps from subject to subject. You can’t follow her thinking. She has a very high opinion of herself and low opinion of anyone who disagrees with her.
I am truly scared for her safety and mental health and don’t know what to do or how she can come back from this. Can you please advise since her husband is unwilling to intervene? Our entire family is torn up and we love her, my son in law and the boys so much! Thank you, Carol S.
Dear Carol,
You have my sympathies. I’ve heard more stories like this than you might imagine. It’s not “out there.”
I understand your son-in-law’s reluctance. If he pushes this issue, especially if he knows little about ADHD, he risks being seen by your daughter as “unsupportive” and “not believing in ADHD” — and worse things as repeated by those online who fancy themselves ADHD advocates by virtue of having ADHD and taking Adderall.
They don’t know thousands of people with ADHD. They haven’t heard thousands of intimate stories from real people. Their perspective is extremely limited.
My guess is that your daughter isn’t happy, either, but she doesn’t know what else to do. She might feel she has no other options. But she has PLENTY of other options.
By now she might actually have an addiction to Adderall. Her sleep and diet is probably suffering, too.
You could write a letter to her prescriber, explaining your perspective of what is happening. The prescriber might read it but likely will not respond, due to privacy laws. It might also spook the prescriber, who might then drop your daughter as a patient. I shudder to think what that might do to your relationship — at least in the short term.
Perhaps the best thing you could do is to help her to understand there are other options. Legitimate options. A variety of stimulants. If she’s struggling with sleep, it might also be important for her to learn the common ADHD sleep issues.
The best, most reliable and cost-effective way to do this that I know of? My training on ADHD Physical Strategies. You can check out the content — and check the free previews — here.
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
Good luck to you all.
Gina
“first day without adderall in ten years” brought me to this article. Today is the first day in a little over ten years that I have not had adderall to start my day (more should be arriving by mail today.)
I was apprehensive about running out but a part of me wanted to run out.
I have become so task focused that I work from the time I rise until the time I get ready for bed, often not pausing to eat. I forgot how to relax.
This morning I remembered what the mental chaos felt like…and sitting here now I feel utterly unmotivated to do anything, which is ok. I need to rest.
When I woke up this morning my body did not ache as usual because I only had 15 mg left yesterday, not enough to make me work at my usual pace.
My goal is to reduce my dosage (currently at 30 mg per day) and take a day or two off to allow my body to recuperate. To allow myself to be unproductive. To teach myself to be unproductive. Because the truth is, before addreall I was a mess. My symptoms *which are complex dear doctor* began when ADHD was not even a thing. Catholic school in the 1960s was tough for a kid with my problems! I was a good kid, not hyperactive, but unable to focus or complete projects.
I don’t know the ins and outs of my brain chemistry and nervous system but I do know that adderall helped me to finally live a more productive life (first prescribed at 55 years of age) but I’ve also found that you must moderate. No I did not go full on speed freak but I have taken it daily and it does change you. It probably exacerbated my ocd tendencies and clean freakishness…every medication has side effects and I’m willing to accept those because the alternative is anhedonia and despair. Putting children on stimulants does not seem like a great idea but once the damage is done..it’s done. As an adult with maybe a decade or two left, I have nothing to lose.
Hi Kris,
Thanks for your comment. I hope that your words inspire others to re-think the wisdom of being propelled through the day. As Adderall does for some.
There are other options, other stimulants that will help boost motivation, initiation, all the Executive Functions, without putting your through the ringer.
You absolutely have nothing to lose. In fact, you have much to gain.
Good luck!
Gina
I made it about halfway through your article…..ADHD and all. 🙂
Your article is spot on. It ruined my marriage. I stopped taking it after I looked into it and connected the dots with my behavior. Unfortunately it was too late for me but I now feel like I have a genuine shot at finding love since I won’t be a total asshole to them.
Hi Scott,
Sorry you had to learn the hard way.
Thanks for making it halfway through. I know it’s ridiculously long. I would break it out into smaller stories but….Blame Google and its search-engine algorithms.
Good luck to you!
Gina
Hi Gina,
I have ADHD. Adderall is a blessing and a curse. When taken exactly as directed, it does work. I took it for 4 years with much success. I also became addicted to it more than once during the pandemic. *I’ve cycled on and off multiple times because adderall is equally as effective in the short term as it is dangerous in the long term.
The science says that people with ADHD are far more likely to abuse a substance in their lifetime. We’re more likely to engage in risky behaviors and we’re known for being forgetful, inconsistent, and impulsive. Adderall creates the perfect storm for people with ADHD because the reasons we need adderall are the same factors that make us more likely to become addicted and or abuse it.
Eventually the amphetamines in adderall do disrupt your sleep patterns from time to time. One night you may get fixated on something and stay up until 4am without realizing it. The next day youre exhausted and feel like you need a bit more to make it through the work day. Maybe your tolerance has made the pills feel less effective. There will come a time when you’re tempted to take another one. That’s just the nature of substances that are known to be highly addictive. Adderall is highly addictive. So statistically speaking, you take a second one or up your dose. There’s no punishment. You’re not grounded. Boom. Now youre even more productive. You get more positive feedback at work. More compliments. we’re quicker on our feet, more creative, more motivated. The positive feedback deepens your belief’ that you need adderall to be successful in life – while simultaneously teaching you that there are no consequences to disrupting our healthy routines. We can stay up all night and still function at work. We can wait until the last minute to start an assignment because we have adderall to save the day. Eventually, the lines between adderall is helping to adderall is just working to adderall is now making me worse off are so thin that most aren’t aware they’ve crossed those lines a long time ago.
it is possible to keep it together, but eventually life will take a shit (or the world shuts down) and the dependence will make you vulnerable to addictive behaviors and those consequences. Life trials and tribulations are made much worse when your mind becomes your enemy. It’s a risk that you minimize over time that never actually goes away.
After years of running your body ragged on uppers, you’re going to want to get off of them. The constant fog, the mood swings, sleep deprivation, your rocky relationships, your impulsiveness, your paranoia, you gaslighting yourself for hours or hyper fixating on something that is meaningless… it starts to weigh on you and your lover ones. The real ones tell you it might be time to lower the dose, Try something natural, they’re just tip-toe’n around it because they’re probably worried about you but equally worried about your reaction. As you get older, ppl don’t care about you the same way they did when you were younger. If you’re being self-destructive, no one is coming to save the day. When you regularly start going thru your prescription in half a month or 10 days..when you find a friend to buy it from to cover the gaps, you’ll want off eventually. The reason you started was because you were high functioning to begin with . This started in college. Somewhere along the way it became a problem. So here you are.
However, getting off of adderall is tough because for 2-3 weeks (depending on how long you took it) you’re the most tired human alive. It’s hard to keep up at work when you’re sleeping for a week straight. No joke. After that first week you’re just completely unable to complete tasks or stay focused. You’re depressed, unproductive, you may not want to get out of bed, you’re borderline suicidal. After 2-3 weeks of that bs, you’re back! But now you’re behind at work again. You need groceries, you neglected the house for a couple weeks. Work deadlines are coming and you’re overwhelmed again. Ppl haven’t seen you. You’re not returning calls, ppl are worried. Well what if I take adderall just one more time. I’ll refill my script one more time. I’ll Double the dosage for a few days to catch up…it’ll just take a few all nighters to catch up so no one will notice I’ve been slacking at work. 2 days of being wired gets you no where at work, it leaves you extra anxious, and now paranoid you’re going to get fired. It’s bad dude. Your friends get tired of the ups and downs. Your partner gets sick of the paranoia.
you’re back jack, you’re doing it again.
I promise that You can’t keep ingesting amphetamines. Life; work, school, responsibilities, your relationships… they won’t coexist forever. It doesn’t work. You will fail. And I swear this cycle is so hard to get out of unless you tell your doctor you have a problem.. but of course you don’t want to do that because … well just in case.
You can go back jack you can do it again.
I promise you that there is no shortcut to eventually having to figure out how to manage your routines, sleep, and diet consistently. If you really do have ADHD, prioritize these things like your life depends on it. The adderall addiction cycle sucks…
Dear Addie,
Wow. I’m so grateful that you have put into such powerful language the scenarios I have heard for 25 years.
I must add the caveat that Adderall doesn’t affect every person with ADHD in this way. For some, they can take it daily for years and remain “stabilized.”
But this “perfect storm,” as you say, is further agitated by rampant poor prescribing. Giving a person who is already disorganized in so many ways a powerful amphetamine — and saying, “Good luck.” That is essentially what happens.
I blame the MDs for much of this mess — that and the very slimy pharma that has so many of them believing that “Adderall is best.”
Instead, we’re seeing all this blame heaped on the “abusers.” It’s not right.
I wish you all the best in getting/staying on an even keel. I hope that another stimulant might help you to do that. Of course, you might not think it’s “working” because it won’t be as strong — and strongly felt. But it can still be helpful.
If you can, check out my course. This is my antidote to the slipshod “medical care” that people with ADHD receive on so many levels…with medication but also with associated conditions (sleep disorders, obesity, auditory challenges, etc.). Enough is enough!
My very best to you. Thanks again
Gina
Adderall is Literally Named After ‘ADD For All’ In fact, “A.D.D. for all” is the phrase that inspired the name Adderall. And Ritalin (in honor to Rita, the wife of the molecule discoverer). 🙂
Hi Roberto,
It’s on record that that inventor of Ritalin named it after his wife. He and his wife had experimented with the medication. She found it gave a real “filip” to her golf game.
This is not surprising if she had ADHD. ADHD symptoms can affect motor coordination and response times, for all kinds of athletes and non-athletes.
I see nothing dastardly in the name.
As for “ADD for All,” we have only Alan Schwarz’s word on that. And given his sensationalist “reporting” on all aspects of ADHD, I require a primary source.
Thanks for your comment.
Gina
https://lenews.ch/2019/08/23/swiss-fact-ritalin-was-invented-in-switzerland/#:~:text=He%20tested%20the%20drug%20on,its%20use%20really%20took%20off.
Not your body, not your business. None of your opinions matter. Your evidence-based medicine is p hacked statistics that serve an agenda either for moral purity or supporting pharmaceutical greed. None of that matters to the people that benefit from these drugs. We don’t care about your opinions. We don’t care if we don’t fit into your statistically relevant evidence-based medicine. Anybody that tells me what to do with my own body, tells me what drugs I can or can’t take, tries to dictate what my dose is is indeed a medical fascist that deserves nothing but the worst. Land of the free. I’m an adult and I don’t need to be told. You expect me to be polite or not get angry when all of you are ruining my life with your stigmatizing slanderous nonsensical piousness? The war on drugs needs to end and most of all you idiots with your opinions need to get out of my way. I have no sympathy, no mercy and no empathy for any of you because none of you have any for me. You are all a bunch of pants pooping infants.
Perhaps you want to re-read the piece. I know it’s long. But details do matter, and it’s good to get them in hand before calling everyone fascists and pants-pooping infants.
I’ll just point out that I was “pro-medication” probably before you were born. I took a strong stand on this, because the science is there and the human evidence is there, with tends of thousands of validations.
I was also pro-medication when it was not popular, and was called a pharma whore, pharma shill, and you name it. Despite me being one of the very few authors/advocates/bloggers not on one particular pharma’s payroll.
You have “no sympathy, empathy, etc.” for others who have suffered due to sloppy prescribing of ADHD medications.
The issue here is horribly sloppy and ill-informed prescribing patterns, based on marketing slogans and not science.
Sorry you don’t care about that. Some of us do.
Gina
Even though fascists won’t let me speak about any of this because it doesn’t serve their agenda, here I go committing suicide with my time being honest with all of you…
This article is extremely unbalanced, sociopathic and insensitive to the needs of the minority and all this article does is justify ivory tower morality being shoved down the patient’s throats, violating their rights to choose what they do with their own bodies which includes choosing their medication as well as their dosage. The real danger in relationship to a drug like Adderall is when people like you make doctors terrified to prescribe it and they cut people off cold turkey and force them to have the violent withdrawals but when people are allowed to have stability in their lives and stay on their meds as well as choose their own dose so it’s effective they aren’t being tormented by abuse of authoritarianism making them jump through hoops like a trained monkey, treating them like an infant, frustrating them to the point of madness they do quite well: I know because I’ve had many years with a stable supply and a consultant who largely stayed out of my way and just kept writing those scripts. With all of your fear mongering dare program morally pious shill-mongering, the past 4 years of my life have been destroyed by abuse of authoritarianism in the form of medical fascism and it is thanks to people like you that write this tripe. There are those of us who have genetic conditions that make it so that we require drugs for our entire lives and we will never be sober nor do we need treatment. We know the drugs that work for us and we need all of you to get out of the way but you’re all ruining our lives with your inappropriate authoritarianism and your stigmatizing shillongering nonsense. Watch the documentary series called The Fix, narrated by Samuel l Jackson. Actually get to know hundreds of people that do drugs in a very personal capacity and find out just how inappropriate and skewed your absurdly prejudiced opinions really are. You ignorant fools. You’re making society unsafe by robbing people of their sovereignty, encouraging medical fascism That’s ruining people’s lives. Not everybody can live up to this unrealistic expectations, industry standards don’t work for everyone. Not your body, not your business. There’s no debate here. Get out of my way already. You are a bunch of sociopathic terrorists slandering people, you are the mad men, you are the pants pooping control freaks. Grow up. I will never live up to your unrealistic expectations, I will never stop doing drugs, I will never let any of you tell me what to do with my own body and the more you ruin my life with your slanderous tripe, the more I’m going to consider you the enemy, the more you’re going to encourage me to go to war with all of you. Additionally, I am now on the side of the cartels and any violence they are responsible for because all of you deserve every last bit of it for ruining my life with your fascist propaganda. Just shut up already, you ignorant simpletons.
Echo echo echo!
Sounds exactly like madderall.
Dude, did you even read the article? It literally says it works for some people and that we all have our own unique brain chemistry. “We don’t care about your opinions.” – uh, that is extremely rude.
Thanks for saying this. 20-year patient. No side effects. An actual, lifelong, crippling problem. At 40-years-old, after having scratched and clawed my way out of my perpetually bored brain to a stable and happy life, pharmacies look at me like I’m a criminal and doctors gang up on me (three on one) to make sure I’m not some kind of drug seeker. God forbid that I move states or change docs.
Sure — there are issues. Docs and pharmacists don’t want to be on the hook for some loser. But you, as someone who has a commitment to doing no harm, should know what harm it does to a rego patient who’s just trying to get on with life. Don’t fix my life with amphetamines, for decades, and then yank it out of my hands with no explanation and no next steps.
I mean, first world problems for sure. But I live in the first world and at this point, sometimes I think it would be easier (all things considered) to just be a dirt-poor pleb with nothing to look forward to. Because at that point, at least the social pressure wouldn’t be a thing.
Just ban it already. At least I’d have a concrete idea of what my options are.
Thanks for Adam for calling me a fascist, eh?
I am sorry that you do not have the deep and broad view of this topic, as I do.
It is the very things I warned about — and have been for 20 years — that have brought about this “shortage”. That has made “Adderall” the pinata that various media like to hit until all the goodies come out — increased traffic, optimized SEO.
The people you SHOULD be calling fascists are the soulless mercenary pharma marketing team that over-sold Adderall, gamed meta-analyses to show “Adderall is best for adults”, and resulted in blowback after blowback against the diagnosis itself. But particularly against Adderall.
You should recognize them. They funded almost every major website on adult ADHD and non-profits, coach organizations, too, and they all danced to its tune. Oh wait, none of them disclose.
You are blaming the wrong person. I’m the only one who has given a damn about people left in the lurch. And who has never taken pharma support.
Do yourself a favor and check out Mydayis. Most of my friends who tried it, at my suggestion, after not finding Adderall, report it being 90%.
You’re welcome,
The Fascist
I have commented on a few posts about what I’m going thru with my fiancé but I want everyone to be able to read it bc maybe it will help someone and honestly I’m looking for ANY advice too.
My fiancé started taking adderall in 2018. He has taken it since then off and on (bc I would end up calling the dr to explain how he acts and they would cut him off but then he would find another dr to get it from) He did stop taking it when I got pregnant last year but just recently started again a month before my daughter was born which was four months ago. My fiancé usually is a loving, caring, fun and happy man but when he takes those pills he becomes irritable and angry. Everytime I speak even to tell him about my day with his daughter he would say in an irritable voice “shut the f up I don’t want to hear your voice” he has told me that I show no love, I give him no happiness and he doesn’t want to be with me. But that’s not what I need help with.. the rosy part about him taking these meds is that it has made him think that I have been unfaithful. He has been accusing me of cheating now for 5 years. To a point where he has gotten into physical altercations on the street with strangers bc he would think I knew them and that I cheated with them. About two years ago I went thru his phone and found him on multiple dating sites and Facebook messages talking to other women in a sexual manner. When I confronted him about it (when he was sober and not taking the med) he said he thought I was cheating so he wanted to get back at me. But he has now done this to me for two years over 10 times. It hurts that he talks to other women.. I don’t know what to do. He really thinks I’ve been unfaithful so he sexually talks to other women and now I have a four month old daughter that I can’t have her see how much I cry when he accuses me or talks down to me or hurts me when he talks to other women. It got to the point where even last night he accused me of sneaking men into our house thru windows to cheat on him while my daughter is in the room. He says that he has schizophrenia and that’s why he acts that way but I know it’s the meds. I have spoken to all the drs but he always finds a way to get them. I may be dumb for staying with him but now he’s the father of my baby and he’s so good to me and her when he runs out of his meds. But I can’t keep being on this roller coaster.
I need advice on what I should do or how to act when he is in his full blown aggression like when he’s accusing me and verbally putting me down and not caring how he’s acting or making me feel. I even have developed bad anxiety from this and have even fainted a few times in the middle of trying to convince him I’m faithful as he’s accusing me or saying the most horrible things to me. I usually try to go into a different room and ignore it until it’s over but that has now only made him now think that I sneak men thru the window. Any advice on what to do or how to act and any advice on dealing with HIS infidelity online with other women bc he thinks I’ve done something to him… any advice is well appreciated
Hi,
My boyfriend was prescribed adderall by his family doctor about two years ago over the phone. Since then, I have slowly watched his personality change for the worse. He started getting irritable with everything I said and did. Things he used to love about me, suddenly were things that bothered him. He started to accuse me of things that were not true. He essentially detached himself from me emotionally to the point where he broke up with me, with no remorse or emotion. We had been together 4 years and planned to get married. I tried to talk to him about his adderall use, but he wouldn’t listen. He would just get angry and yell. Before he started taking adderall, he was sweet and affectionate and rarely ever angry or irritated. We always said how much we loved each other and had a very loving relationship. I also find that his moods are now up and down. One day he seems fine and happy, and the next he is angry and accusatory. My heart is broken, but there is nothing I can do at this point. Do these sound like adderall side effects to you?
Hi Holly,
That’s just heartbreaking. I’m sorry this is happening for you.
Yes, there are many red flags there for “Madderall”.
But there is always complexity. For example, if before ADHD “treatment” he was more passive and depended on you for everything, he might feel he is more “empowered” now and should do more/think more for himself.
Empowerment can be a good thing for folks with ADHD, if they have help in managing this transition. Empowerment in the form of Madderall might just lead to anger.
If you feel this is endangering his well-being, you might consider sending a letter to the prescriber, explaining what is happening.
Of course you’d have to be prepared for the blowback. But if you can’t get through to him any other way and the relationship might be over anyway…
The main thing is to take care of yourself. Avoid being drawn into nonsensical arguments. Keep up your social contacts and activities. Get exercise.
best
g
Thank you for your quick response.
Yes, he used to be quite passive and I would handle most things. In the months leading up to our breakup, I noticed he was snapping at me whenever I attempted to help him or make a suggestion about something.
He mentioned during one of our arguments that his doctor was going to try a new medication in about six months because he didn’t even feel like the adderall was doing what it was supposed to (this is also his reason for why he can’t possibly be experiencing any side effects). If he does go off the adderall, will he return to his normal self again?
I should also mention that before starting adderall, he had mental health issues with anxiety and depression for which he was already taking meds for. From what I’ve read, adderall isn’t great for these pre existing health issues.
Hi Holly,
Again, complexity.
In horrifying numbers, people with ADHD are misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression. The clinicians fail to understand that living with poorly managed ADHD can look like “depression and anxiety.” They know more about those conditions (or think they do) than they do about ADHD.
Result? They prescribe medications for anxiety and depression, not for ADHD. That means ADHD symptoms can actually intensify—and other symptoms created.
If he’s taking Adderall and certain SSRI antidepressants that compete on the same enzymatic pathway, he could develop “serotonin syndrome.”
I encourage a second opinion.
good luck
g
Holly,
Listen I completely understand what you are going through. I have now been going through that same thing over and over again for about 5 years now. I honestly can not believe I have stuck it out for that long bc the emotional toll it takes on me is so hard that it caused me to have bad depression but now I just have birth to a baby girl so I’m worried that his irritability and paranoia has started again and I can’t continue to live this way and have her go through it too.
My fiancé started stimulants in 2018. His personality changed. Everything I said he would get annoyed with. He would tell me to leave him alone, that he can’t stand hearing my voice, that he would leave just to get away from me which hurts. THEN, THE INFIDELITY ACCUSATIONS STARTED. I have been being accused of cheating on him for 5 years off and on (only being accused when he takes the meds, when he comes down from them he says how he knows I’ve been faithful) it’s gotten so bad that he has gotten into physical altercations with strangers on the street bc he thought I knew them and was cheating with them. I’m pretty sure you are going thru the same thing. I felt it when you said that he is accusing you of things that are not true. My fiancé has been doing this to me for so long that now that I have a baby I don’t know if I can continue to be on this stimulant roller coaster. And just like your boyfriend my fiancé is AN AMAZING LOVING man normally but when he takes those pills he changes. It got to the point where just last night he thought I was sneaking guys into our house thru windows and cheating on him with my daughter in the room. He even told me last night that he wants to break up and that he can’t be with a “slut” anymore and that “I ruined his life in every way besides giving him a daughter” Now this may make me seem like I’m dumb for staying with him but you should know what my fiancés done to me so you can look out for it if u end up being with him again and go thru this again. When he accuses me of cheating he has thought it was so real that he actually went and talked to other girls online in a sexual manner and when I confronted him he said he thought I was doing things wrong so he wanted to get back at me. He has done this to me now for 2 years over 7 times. I may be stupid for staying with him after that but it’s only bc I love the man he is not on these stimulants but this roller coaster is hard and I need to get off of it. When I got pregnant a year ago he promised he would stop and he actually did but he started again a month before my baby was born. And he just told me last night that he was taking it off and on for a long time without me knowing… but as I’m sure you know.. we always know when they are on it like when I was pregnant he was accusing me of cheating on him at 6 months pregnant and even said he didn’t think his baby was his.
I am SO SORRY you are going through this I just wanted to share my story so you know you are not alone. It’s good to talk to others that are going thru the same things.
Good luck with everything.. you can always talk to his doctor but I have done that with four different doctors. If he wants the meds he will find a way to get them. Hang in there, stay strong and know that it’s NOT HIM TREATING YOU THIS WAY AND TALKING TO TOU THIS WAY.. it’s the other man inside of your boyfriend who is taking the stimulant. Stay strong!
I have watched my sister (in her 60’s) have a complete personality change since going on Adderall and it has been so disturbing. Hyper-focus, non-stop movement and organizing, loss of social filters, loss of inhibition and worst of all, she is undiagnosed but I believe also has Borderline PD and these symptoms have gotten a whole lot worse. Childlike behavior, delusional about being left out and rejected, ineffective communication skills. Come to find out this is absolutely not a good drug for people with Borderline to take. Some of us have talked to her about my concerns re: the Adderall not being the best drug for her and she insists it’s fine. Usually I hear that she’s “tapering down”… but apparently not off. I hate to see her relationships with family in jeopardy, which is the opposite of what she deeply wants but she’s on a path that she’s determined to stay on and in the meantime, extended family plans and events are becoming more painful and complex. It seems people who are addicted to Adderall can really dupe their prescribers into believing they are well.
Marta, if you feel that the Adderall is endangering your sister’s life, on any level, maybe you could send a registered letter to the prescriber.
Even though privacy laws prevent the prescriber from communicating with you about a patient (who has not given consent), nothing stops loved ones from expressing their concerns to (clueless) prescribers.
Registered mail can definitely get attention.
Of course, if the prescriber tells your sister what you (or someone) has written, it might come back to hurt you.
But if she continues on this path that you describe, I can’t imagine that won’t be worse.
good luck
Gina
Hi-
Do you still believe this? Honestly… doctors vs award winning 1999 journalist… “it affected my marriage, because I tried to get help, and my abusive partner blamed me for it” …. These comments are so sad. You’re article is sad, and misleading. You see the scientific evidence to back it, but use your “opinion” to discredit it. I hope you polish that award every night.
Nice try at de-legitimizing me, ignoring my achievements in this field for almost 20 years. About Gina Pera
Actually, it’s not a nice try. It’s mean-spirited. And it’s not smart, either.
You are the one ignoring the scientific evidence, the ones that most prescribers don’t know, and ignoring the MANY comments on this post.
Good luck getting your Adderall, but you might want to ask the people around you how well it’s working. Being nasty to strangers and unable to comprehend complex topics doesn’t seem to be speaking well for it.
Gina
Hi, my bf of 3 years has been taking meth ( snorting) since I met him. He just shared that he thought he had adhd. He shared this because I was protesting against his proclamation to order some Adderall along with others like Ritalin etc. from a friend he met at a party because he needed “performance enhancing drugs” as he has a test today that he had to study for for the elevator union. (Tell me this already sounds crazy! )
So after all this, just happening, I come home and he’s acting cracked out and talking to himself, pacing, being mean but blaming me, very irritable, and just like not right. He also partakes in daily alcohol use as well as high use of weed daily.
His mom is batshit crazy. His dad was a cheating “asshole” according to his mom, for he seems real nice to me. My bf has cheated on me before with tranny escorts. He has been unable to communicate in a healthy way all the time. The point is, I should be scared out of my fricken mind right? I googled in hopes of just looking up side affects and found your wonderfully written article and I really appreciate your work and concern and knowledge in the matter. You’re an angel. But right now I’d like to get a second opinion about what it is that I’m going through and how best to approach it or just not make me feel like I’m so crazy ! Thank you for your time and I hope you have a great day!
Hi Kristina,
If by “what you’re going through,” you mean adult ADHD, check out my book. It put these issues on the map and is still a bestseller. That will be your quickest and most reliable route.
There’s paperback and Kindle. Also audio, but I’m not crazy about the narrator’s voice.
https://amzn.to/3qc9ein
Please know….ADHD runs on an enormous spectrum. It’s a variable syndrome, and the people who have it are individuals.
That said, lifelong untreated ADHD combined with meth use and illegal Adderall use, along with other details you mention (including mom )those might make things much tougher than average.
It’s really important to keep an eye on reality, keep in touch with your old friends. And think about what a future together would look like for you.
take care,
g
This is entirely my story. Ended up with a month at the Priory. What’s odd is it was an entirely compartmentalised addiction.
Does Ritalin cause the same issues?
Luckily I just about managed to keep my marriage together, but lost my business and nearly my mind. Within a month of leaving the Priory I was entirely back to my own self and able to have the occasional beer and even a benzo while flying (which I’d developed an addiction too alongside the adderall). I won’t touch adderall again though.
Hi Wilbur,
It’s truly criminal. I’m glad you’re recovering.
Gina
This article was extremely helpful. My fiancé was diagnosed with ADHD and at first his diagnosis and starting on Adderall was life changing for him. Now I’m questioning if it’s causing him to be more aggressive and depressed. Notable that he had his dosage increased overtime since January and it’s been steady since March.
He’s always been a bit more quick tempered than most but not in a way that directly would impact me (think road rage, or generals frustrations with people – overstimulation).
We are a few months into being on his medication and we are struggling in our relationship. In particular, I feel like he has new sets of rules in place that I have difficulty keeping up with. I’m trying desperately to do right by him but it never a seems enough. We’ve landed that I need to do a better job of listening but I feel like I’m trying to achieve the impossible. Our relationship was never like this.
Any advice on how to talk to him about my concerns that it could be his dosage without making it seem like I’m dismissing what he needs from me in our partnership? I don’t want him to take it as I’m trying to shift the blame to him, and put us into a vicious cycle. But I’m really worried.
Thank you.
Hi Mel,
Of course I can’t say anything definitive about your situation. But I can tell you, I’m seeing several familiar red flags in your account.
A major risk of trying Adderall first, as I wrote, is losing self-awareness while simultaneously gaining long-illusive focus. It’s typically hard to get through.
This idea that you aren’t listening…..could be indicative of manic-like behavior. If that’s the case, it likely has nothing to do with your listening.
My sense of you, based only on your account, is that you’d do well to trust your instincts.
The hard truth is, this medical recklessness happens every day, perhaps thousands of times. And the patients are vulnerable.
Shame on these MDs. Seriously.
Take care of yourself and maybe watch being a passenger if he’s driving the car. Continue to educate yourself on what you might be up against. And read the section on Denial in my book: Is It You, Me, or Adult ADHD?
Gina
Hi. Was diagnosed with Adult ADHD 2 years ago at age 66. Dr. immediately prescribed Adderall. It definitely helps, but anxious to see what other medications may work better.
Hi Frank,
I believe folks with ADHD owe it to themselves to follow the science and try at least two other options.
The fact that prescribers don’t do this borders on malpractice. Maybe doesn’t even border. ;-). But you read the piece. 🙂
I encourage you to check out my online program. Self-paced. Structured supports. Interesting, even sometimes entertaining, videos. Short. 🙂
The overall umbrella is PHYSICAL strategies to Solving Your Adult ADHD Puzzle.
That means learning about:
—Various health conditions associated with ADHD (that those specialists might not know)
—ADHD issues with sleep (delayed sleep phrase, Restless Legs Syndrome, sleep apnea, and more) and how to address them
—How medications work and the differences among the many choices
—All supported by PDF downloads so you can personalize the knowledge and bring to your prescriber or other physician, so as to better collaborate.
You can learn more here: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
take care,
g
This article reads as if G was on A
Aren’t you Little Mary Sunshine, Jonathan Cerpa
This is a public service. You don’t like it. You don’t have to read it.
Thank you very much for this article. I came here looking for answers to my partner’s severe personality changes. He has a long history of drinking excessively, but things took a darker turn about 8 months ago: His drinking has gotten much heavier to the point that 2-3 nights a week, he stays up drinking all night long, then pops an Adderall and goes to work, still drunk and on no sleep. (Fortunately for him, he’s self-employed.) He keeps going until he finally hits a wall and falls asleep or passes out. During these “all-nighters”, he frequently goes on angry tirades about people in his life, and most disturbingly, has even turned on me several times, which is totally out of character. He’s never been physically violent, just very verbally and mentally abusive.
I finally realized that the personality changes started right around the time he was prescribed Adderall. I landed here via a Google search as I was trying to find information, specifically, on the effects of Adderall mixed with heavy alcohol use. After reading the article, I’m even more alarmed. I thought about contacting his doctor – who I’m sure has no idea of the extent of my partner’s drinking – but since I’m “just his girlfriend”, I have no real standing, not to mention the risk that the doctor may or may not keep such a communication confidential. I have been at the point of deciding to end our nearly 2-year relationship over this, but if, indeed, it’s the Adderall that’s driving his erratic behavior, I want to try and help him if possible. I really don’t know what to do. But thank you for the information and allowing me to comment here.
Hi Julie,
Alcohol alone can really intensify ADHD symptoms.
Add Adderall and sleep deficits? Not to be alarmist, but the results could be dire indeed. Including psychotic breaks.
Unfortunately, most docs prescribing Adderall have no clue what might really be happening in their patient’s life. And many don’t ask.
I agree that you should be concerned about communicating this information to the doctor privately. If that doctor is the type who truly cannot fathom this scenario, he/she might depict you as the “interfering woman” or “controlling mother” or whatever old musty psychoanalytic tropes they have on hand.
If your boyfriend is drinking alcohol, operating on sleep deficits, and taking Adderall, such news could really inflame the situation. Please do be careful.
And when you say, “Just very verbally and mentally abusive,” please know: That is still abuse. That kind of behavior is unacceptable. From anyone.
You might want to check out my new course on Solving Your Adult ADHD: Physical Strategies. It’s all about maximizing medication and sleep. Because, unfortunately, we often cannot rely on the licensed professionals.
Even if you believe he would never be interested, that doesn’t matter. It’s important that you know what you are up against. And, in many cases, the ADHD Partner gets curious and dips in.
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
take care of yourself!
Gina
Adderall works very well…for some. It works very well for me.
I stayed in touch with my psychiatrist of 15 years when my husband and I moved from NJ to NC. I easily – at 1st – found a Primary Care Physician willing to write my Zoloft prescriptions. I had been diagnosed with Major Recurrent Depression 15 years earlier.
Through testing, clinical observation and even a specialized brain scan it was determined I had ADD but, at the time I moved away, none of the possible treatments had proven to be effective. Taking Adderall and Adderall XR held promise but we were moving.
A co-worker at my new job was taking Adderall and she gave me the name of her psychiatrist who had recently started a private practice. That psychiatrist and I chatted for roughly 40 minutes. I gave her the contact info on my previous psychiatrist so that she could speak with him. She never bothered to do that. I could have been anyone and I left her office that day with the prescriptions I had requested. Hers was a new practice. She needed patients.
About 3 years later her practice had grown. No surprise there as private practice psychiatrists in the Charlotte, NC area are in short supply. When my pharmacy was bought out by another I followed along and almost immediately there were problems when the new pharmacy ‘lost’ my prescriptions and repeatedly called my psychiatrist over a long weekend.
Shortly thereafter I received a text from the Charlotte psychiatrist informing me that she was not able to devote so much time to a Schedule II med patient and she was dropping me. After months of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and failure to find another prescribing MD in NC I called my NJ psychiatrist and asked if he knew of any psychiatrists in the Charlotte area.
He offered to see me via telehealth and send the Adderall Rx s to my NC pharmacy. All went well until shortly after Walgreens, CVS and another pharmacy were heavily fined for an opiate issue. I was then informed that despite my telehealth meetings with my NJ psychiatrist and my now 20 year history of being his patient they would no longer fill my Adderall prescriptions.
The pharmacy staff person said something vague about ‘DEA’ and I have yet to find anything beyond proposed regulations. My PCP will write 1 month’s worth. That’s it. As far as I’m concerned my current pharmacy is observing their own policy…not a DEA policy. And once again my life is being disrupted by poorly covered reports on the effects of opiates* which have spilled over into reactions to Adderall.
I am tired. My husband is a 100% Disabled Vietnam Veteran thanks to Agent Orange exposure and he is about to begin dialysis. The game-like nature of finding an MD who will prescribe Adderall in a medical environment monopolized by 2 major corporations (Atrium and Novant)will leave me trying to help my husband while experiencing Adderall withdrawal and returning to the state of confusion and overstimulation which Adderall enables me to manage.
*I do not mean to be complacent or uncaring about the many deaths that have been caused by opiate overdoses. I too, have lost loved ones to this travesty. I don’t see extreme reactions to this as being helpful. To paraphrase something Colin Powell once said…take a good idea to a stupid extreme and you end up with what looks to have been a stupid idea.
Dear Alice,
You have my full sympathies. Truly. This is just cruelty, plain and simple.
There is a lot of tumult happening now around medications, especially ADHD medications. Caused by many factors — an upsurge in diagnosis due to COVID-related stresses, a boatload of junk Concerta generics pushed by Trump’s FDA Chief, and new amphetamine drugs whose manufacturers need to match with customers.
Also, I hear you on the opiate issues. The horrible irony, imho, is that many people who got addicted to the oxycondone likely had unrecognized ADHD.
Here’s the thing….sometimes when we keep hitting a brick wall, we need to go find a software wall to beat our head against. 🙂
That is, if you’ve tried nothing but Adderall XR, you don’t know if something else might work as well — if not even better.
The closest might be Mydayis — a longer-acting Adderall. Or maybe Vyvanse.
But it might even be that a methylphenidate stimulant will work well for you. That landscape is trickier now, given the Concerta mess. (Concerta has been the most popular stimulant in that class for many years.)
Barring getting access to any of those, you might get some relief from the “non-stimulant” ADHD medication Strattera/Atomoxetine. Your family MD might prescribe that.
It is thought to be helpful for maybe 30% of folks with ADHD. You might be one of them. But be sure to start at a low dose and go up slowly. Many prescribers don’t understand the importance.
Best of luck to you.
g
Excellent post!!
thank you! It was a lot to slog through! 🙂
g
Hi Gina,
Can you please tell me more about reaching out to my partner’s psych? We use the same facility for med management. My person was great and gave me a very useful drug for anxiety and trauma. But my partner has been getting ADHD meds from them for years now. Then prescribed Wellbutrin on top of that for sleep issues. The hypomanic episodes and intermittent hatred towards me, as well as the constant centering himself and refusing to do any of the day-to-day stuff that comes with parenting school-age kids has become unbearable. These telehealth appointments are like five minutes long and there is no way that is enough time to pick up on the mania. And I think he currently lacks the self awareness to report symptoms.
Will the NP at the psych office be required to tell him if I reach out? Or even if not required, would she be inclined to? I’m so worried about the backlash from my partner. Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I understand your situation and am sorry you are dealing with this.
Prescribers should be including the partners.
When it comes right down to it, your partner has to get over his ego and focus on his family, not to mention his own health and future. Wellbutrin is not a first line treatment for ADHD. Nor is it 2nd or 3rd.
IMHO, it’s favored by poorly qualified prescribers who believe it gives a twofer— stimulant and antidepressant. Plus it’s not a schedule II substance so less hassle.
It’s really best if your partner provides a hard copy letter, with e-document follow up, explaining that you should be included in medication discussions.
If your partner gets violent, I understand your hesitancy. But if not. If the blowback will be screaming and accusations, maybe get some earplugs and don’t react. If you present reasons objectively, maybe he will come around after his emotional defenses cool.
You can send a note to the prescriber, stating your concerns. They can read it without your partner’s permission. But they might also tell your partner. That can very much feel like you’ve gone behind his back….. cub trickier than explaining why you need some teamwork.
I think it’s best to be matter or fact and up front about it. Everything he does affects you and your children. He needs to understand this and work with you as a team. Seriously.
I explain this in detail in my course on sleep and medication: https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
Good luck,
G
Dear Gina,
I posted back in August of last year and would like to add a follow up to my story that could be useful to you and other readers.
I have since had a psychiatric work up and discovered that I have bipolar disorder in addition to my ADHD. I learned that it is actually common for one to be co-morbid with the other, but difficult to identify.
For one thing, my bipolar is not the traditional long swing from extreme depression to extreme mania that is often associated with bipolar 1. Atypical bipolar is what is often seen in individuals who have another disorder as well such as ADHD or OCD.
In some people, stimulant medication can trigger a manic episode which was what was happening in my case. It never occurred to me that I was bipolar because I didn’t know that mania or hypomania could come in the form of anger or irritability or even as a mixed episode in which symptoms of depression and mania are happening at the same time.
With my doctors’ help, I’ve found a dose of Adderall that works for me and I am going through the process of finding medications to control my bipolar. If anyone with ADHD experiences these kinds of mood changes, especially with stimulants medication, it may be worth it to explore bipolar as a possibility. Getting my symptoms under control is having an even bigger effect on my life than controlling my ADHD symptoms. Hope this helps the conversation.
Hi Natalie,
I hope you find something that works for you.
I will provide a caution — to you and other readers.
MANY prescribers mistake the side effects from Adderall as bipolar disorder. When it is NOT.
This has been a common problem FOR YEARS.
If you have never tried another stimulant, it’s only medical common sense to try something other than Adderall — especially before you consider adding a mood stabilizer.
Perhaps your prescriber is correct. But many are absolutely not in coming to this conclusion.
As always, I recommend self-education and self-advocacy.
cheers
g
You wrote a blog to lambast adderall users, as if they’re drug seekers, nevermind that a doctor somewhere prescribed it, and then went on and on angrily about how google buries your blogs and this isn’t a blog to get high. If you’re a “real” doctor, your degree must’ve come from a Cracker Jack box. I can see why others called you a shill.
Oops. Lauren, maybe you should actually read the post.
This time a little slower, without guns blazing, eager to chew me out.
No one takes to heart more the quality of treatment for people with ADHD.
It’s too bad you don’t seem to care about other people with ADHD — to the point of being willing to learn something you don’t know. Hey, it’s a free country.
But this is my blog, and I don’t tolerate bullying.
G
P.S. You seem unclear on the meaning of “pharma shill”. Pharma shills don’t write consumer articles that challenge bad prescribing patterns based on one pharma’s aggressive marketing. Pharma shills jump on anyone who dares to criticize any pharma’s bad behavior, no matter the cost to actual humans. And guess one, one slimy pharma controls much of what we see online—and too many other places as well.
Spoken like a raging amphetamine addict, who probably couldn’t get their fix during the end-of-the-year shortage. I’m an adderall user, and back in December I was as pissed off at everything in the world as you. Certainly not all adderall users are drug seekers, but honestly, a bunch of us are. I fit the ADHD profile, and I also exhibit addictive tendencies and drug seeking behavior. I’ve just normalized those things over a long arc. It’s not difficult at all to be prescribed adderall, ADHD or not, and obtaining a prescription does not validate honesty on the part of the patient or diligence on the part of the prescriber. This blog in no way lambasts adderall users. I’m here because I’ve finally had success in prolonged cessation from cannabis use, and I am making a plan to get adderall off the plate as well. This article promotes being an informed and self-advocating consumer, and underscores the issues of patients self-reporting back to their prescribers. I certainly wasn’t going to tell my doctor about my other habits, or the times I’d take much more than recommended or crush it up and snort it- there’s plenty of times where I’ve also just taken it as recommended. I just wanted it to keep coming without my behavior ever really being examined- and as long as I say it’s working, they keep writing prescriptions. Sounds great from my drug seeking perspective, but I’d be in complete denial if I said adderall has only been helpful to me. It’s exactly as this blog describes- a powerful stimulant which when prescribed properly can be a boon for certain people. It’s also quite popular for off-label use, highly addictive, and can have a host of negative side effects. I too have been a raging asshole while using it, which is a big part of why I want to stop. Good luck.
Thank you, T. I appreciate your validation.
Many people with ADHD, many of them very new to the diagnosis, tend to see this in black-white terms. Simplistic social-media memes make this worse.
Good luck to you, too.
Gina
Thank you for getting this information out there. I have been living the Adderall roller coaster with my husband for 8 years and thought I was the problem. Initially he seemed perfectly fine to me, maybe a bit boisterous, but claimed he couldn’t focus internally. He went on Adderall and within 6 months became a different person. His only focus was himself and he actually seemed to now exhibit ADD symptoms. He couldn’t complete any tasks without getting distracted and starting another, couldn’t sit and watch a movie or television, and when his meds wore off he’d fall asleep whatever time of day. Also yelled a lot and wouldn’t discuss anything with me. He finally went off the meds in Jan 2021 for 8 months because he was tired of the Dr. requiring random drug screens our insurance wouldn’t pay for. It was like he was back to his old self. He claims he was having trouble focusing again, for work only apparently, and went to a new Dr to get back on the meds over my objection. She required him to be rediagnosed and I went with him to the psychiatrists office, explained how he was previously when taking Adderall and how great things had been since he’s been off, but he prescribed it to him anyway. Am now living with someone who never follows through on anything he says he’s going to do, never listens, forgets everything, etc. etc. At least I’m alone in this.
Dear Ronni,
Imagine smoke coming out of my ears.
Seriously, the number of idiotic prescribers I hear about …. it’s just unfathomable. They need to lose their medical licenses.
The ignorance. The arrogance. Despite your stated concerns.
We have one pharma to thank for this “poisoning of the well” — and it’s the same pharma that “owns” many of the ADHD outlets and personalities we see online. Consumer beware.
I hope you will continue to try to get through to your husband. I encourage you to check out my new course on Physical Strategies — sleep and medication. I address this issue specifically, and authoritatively.
take care,
Gina
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
That’s exactly how my fiancé acts. He’s been taking it off and on for 5 years. I would get the dr to stop prescribing it bc he would be verbally and emotionally abusive when he took it but he would find a new excuse and a new dr to get it from. Just know IT IS NOT YOU.. YOU ARE DOING NOTHING WRONG and it is not your husband treating you this way either. When they take these meds they literally turn into different people. I just went thru another VERY bad night last night and when he fell asleep for 20 mins and woke up he claimed “he doesn’t remember anything of what he said or did” now i gave birth to a baby four months ago and I told him today I can’t go thru this roller coaster anymore it’s not fair to me and it’s not fair for my daughter to see me so sad. But I literally don’t know how to get off the roller coaster bc he is such a great guy sober that I don’t want to leave him but I may have to if he can’t stop this bc I’ve been going thru it for so long that I am emotionally drained from it causing me to have anxiety and depression when he would act out when taking the pills. I’ve even started passing out from anxiety when he is fighting with me and accusing me of cheating on him bc I get so upset and worked up trying to convince him I’m faithful that I have such bad panic attacks that I have now started fainting. You may be thinking why have u stuck it out for so long. It’s only bc I love the man he is not on the pills. Just know your not alone and if he started getting irritated and angry the best thing I have learned to do is go into another room and ignore him.. just tel him you will talk to him after he wakes up or after the pills are gone. Good luck and stay strong
I’m trying to come to terms with what I’m going through and I don’t think my doctor is any help. I feel a bit lost on who to turn to for good advice.
1) I’m an adult in my 40s who went to my primary care physician for an ADHD assessment after my psychologist suggested perhaps I had been living with ADHD my whole life. Through a quick conversation he quickly diagnosed me with ADHD inattentive type and prescribed 20mg XR Adderall. I told him that I’m also 3 years sober from alcohol and marijuana and had previously had issues with stimulants when I was in my younger 20s. He said, given my sobriety, I shouldn’t have an issue with Adderall.
I took 20mg for a week and it was overwhelming. I lowed it down to 10mg XR daily and it was a spot I was happy with.
So I was having trouble with my career. I feel lost being two and a half years of unemployment. I wanted something more fulfilling out of my career. The Adderall helped me sort of dive into things with a confidence I’d never had. I typically feel really lethargic and hopeless about bettering myself for career purposes or even personal satisfaction, even before the pandemic and unemployment. I always just felt, my life is over, it’s too late to start something new. But anyway, I’m not sure if it was the Adderall but I seemed to get into a positive upswing. I’m learning some coding languages by myself which is something I’ve never done before. I’m pretty active with it daily, and am keeping myself focused with it which is a far cry from the place where I was, just moping and hopeless that my life is permanently stuck and there’s no way up.
I’m at about the two month mark with taking 10mg XR. I’ve tried to not take Adderall on the weekends. The first day off usually feels fine, almost like the self I’d like to be. I’m more in touch with my emotions and feel my sensitivity that I’m used to. I was even able to still concentrate pretty well while studying. The second day, I was so tired. I didn’t leave the house and I slept like 11 hours that night. The third day the brain fog that I felt was normal before taking Adderall but returned with a vengeance. It’s the feeling of “What’s the point?” or “I’m back to being a ghost wondering around again, lost.”
So I took the Adderall again yesterday. I worked and retained focus again. However, I’ve been susceptible to getting moody and angry toward the end of the day. My emotions are guiding me more than I’d like. I got a little confrontation about a trivial thing with my wife. I’m seeing the downsides to the Adderall use and am concerned that my addicted brain has been reactivated. I haven’t abused it per-say, I’m even taking less than I was prescribed. I don’t even like taking the 10mg quick release tabs and haven’t used them.
I have mixed feelings, did this bout with Adderall pretty much reverse the hard work I put in to getting sober for 3 years? I’m nearing the end of my XR prescription and I don’t know what to do. If I get another refill, I feel like the longer on Adderall, further along the road I’ll be making it that much harder to stop. However, I have no clue what my alternatives are. I’ve tried SSRIs for anxiety/depression. I’ve tried an anti-anxiety drug that just made me completely lethargic.
I’ve had two doctor visits thus far. The last time when I told him I was taking half of what he prescribed, he said he thought I’d need more down the line. That to me is just insane. I’m literally telling him, I don’t want to take more but he’s saying that’s what I will need. So now I’m reluctant to even contact him about my issues but don’t have another doctor to turn to.
Hi Brandt,
I’m glad you found my blog post on Adderall.
I’ll be blunt. Your MD is a cowboy.
He should have listened to your concerns about your history with substance abuse.
He should NOT have started you at 20 mg.
It is a national scandal that one ADHD pharma has wreaked this havoc on untold numbers by “training” nitwit MDs like that. Deplorable.
Right now, can you lower the dosage?
The two-month mark is when I typically start hearing the “uh-oh” stories with Adderall.
The amphetamines are…amphetamines. Even if you have ADHD, you can still get addicted. Despite the amateurs online blaring the opposite.
There are many more options. SSRIs are for anxiety and depression, not ADHD. They can even intensify ADHD symptoms.
These bad-prescribing stories really anger me. Folks have the potential to finally seize upon their capabilities – and these clueless MDs drop them on their heads.
My book was the first (and still the best) to detail how to approach medication for ADHD.
Recently, I created a course….because we just can’t leave it to the “medical community.” I go through all the options, provide worksheets to help make selections and monitor effects. If MDs took my course, they would have a clue — and then some. When consumers take it, they know how to self-advocate.
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
You deserve better!! See if you can get your wife involved. It goes best with teamwork.
Cheers
Gina
THIS is what I’m taking about ! My heart ACHES for this family and all the others ! Bc Drs prescribe ppl accept bc they think Drs are Gods . Vera imperial Wilson a script whore has no regard for ppls lives sheand all the others like her need to be shut down the problem is careless uncaring money motivated Drs. And the retail stores that sell other highly abused OTC drugs like Sudafed WAKE UP ppl
Thank you for sharing this information. My husband was prescribed Adderall about a year and a half ago or so. He has become someone I don’t even recognize anymore. He packed up and walked out about a week ago after eleven years. No conversation, no nothing, except for me to please keep him on the insurance. That got me thinking about his Adderall prescription. He travels for work constantly so I didn’t even see him enough to realize all the negative changes. I was too busy trying to be a good partner and support his work efforts. I am devastated trying to wrap my head around how this all happened. How he could just walkout without any emotion or feelings for me or our relationship/marriage after eleven years. I thought everything was going fine all things considered, but had no idea of how much he had changed for the worse. He’s like a total stranger now. He hasn’t been taking care of any of his obligations, he’s racked up huge amounts on his credit cards, all he focuses on is his job, nothing or nobody else seems to matter. Thanks again for this information. It helps explain so much that I had no idea was even possible.
Hi Dion,
I’m so glad you found my post. I’ve been a voice in the wilderness for many years about this. My calling attention to this problem has created some personal and professional blowback.
I don’t care. Because this is important. It is beyond-the-pale important.
And it’s absolutely SHOCKING and REPREHENSIBLE that so many prescribers remain clueless.
I hope you can use this information to start turning things around.
If you’re interested in how to help guide medication treatment (and maximize sleep, another key issue), you might be interested in my course. If more prescribers took it, I can only imagine how improved the status for so many adults with ADHD.
https://app.podia.com/products/course-2-physical-strategies
take care and good luck,
Gina
Hi
I got diagnosed yesterday. I was prescribed aderall 5mg 2x a day ( I am also taking the generic) I am more inattentive than hyperactive (maybe just internally) I took my first doses today. I think I have major tunnel vision right now. I been on my phone ALLL DAY. Should I be lowering my dose. I thought this acticle would give some clarity on weather if your’e feeling “madderal” lower the dose? My jaws feel tight too.
Or maybe I need to get the non generic and see how that works.
Hi Natalie,
It’s good that you’re self-aware. Many people get caught up in the “tunnel vision” without knowing what is happening.
Most adults do not have physical hyperactivity. By adulthood, the physical hyperactivity has morphed into more of an internal restlessness.
So, it’s most likely that you have combined.
A tight jaw and tunnel vision with your phone are not great signs.
Yes, maybe a good idea to try non-generic.
But in my opinion — and in the opinion of veteran preeminent experts — it makes more sense to try a MPH choice first. That’s the protocol described in my book, linked to in the article.
g
Another issue that I personally have had to deal with is: I had a pretty dialed in medication profile and dose, things were pretty positive and working for me. I was taking a generic. The pharmacy simply swapped the manufacturer one month. There are many articles about generics possibly not having the same effects. Well, let me tell you first hand…Within a month my fingernails had disappeared. I chewed them off…Heart raced, anxiety. Maybe for some conditions and medications generic swaps are ok, but for psychotropic substances it flat out should never be done..I’m currently going through the prescription coverage fight now to get a non generic, so the composition of my meds never changes again..At this time I’m breaking the current pills I have in 1/2 while hoping for stability.
Dear Author,
I am struggling in my marriage and believe Adderall is to blame for many issues, but not all.
When my husband does not take his Adderall, he is and can be a sweetheart. Once he takes his “speed” as he nicknames it, he often gets irritable, loud, aggressive, suspicious, and even manic.
We have only been married less than a year, and due to synergism, when we have tried to go out on a day that he may have take Adderall, he often ends up drinking copious amounts and then making very bad a destructive decisions that result in infidelity.
This morning, he has been up almost all night. We had an argument last night because he thought I was being distant and was being quite short and snappy with me. I become defensive trying to convince him otherwise and being met by what I perceive as coldness. If he lashes out, I then get upset that I am being treated poorly and ask if he has taken his Adderall which he often claims he has not, when he actually has.
Sadly, for me, I feel I am often the target/ focus of his intense negative energy, while others often get treated very well and lovingly. In his intense focus, he will frequently decide to monitor me and make claims that I am cheating or not at work, when I am at work. Trying to convince him is futile.
He will see an erroneous GPS plot on our phone or device and fixate. There is also fixation on my timelines; if I am perceived to have missed a “deadline” to come home or change plans like going to get my car washed, I get very negative responses and incessant phone calls, if I set a boundary when I am being baselessly accused of being “distant,” “suspicious,” “acting abnormal,” and “questionable.”
I feel like this drug puts me under an unwanted and unfair microscope and I am constantly squirming like an ant being burned by the magnified sunlight.
I try to not get defensive, but this drug seems to have exacerbated his negative traits, and put our marriage and relationship into a tumultuous state. He isn’t honest with his psychiatrist about his behavior and often pegs me as being the aggressor/ disruptive one in the relationship.
I am definitely not perfect, but I know I am pretty even just this rollercoaster ride has thrown me for a massive loop and brought out the worst in me. I crave the good days and ones where he is relatively sober and not on Adderall and then using alcohol or drugs to come down.
Hi Madame,
Unfortunately, I’ve seen this pattern too many times.
In addition to the anger and irritability, Adderall for some people with ADHD can create “tunnel vision.” That’s what your describing him having you “under a microscope” sounds like.
What are you doing to do? You’re only one year into a marriage. Things typically don’t get better from this type of situation.
You can let the psychiatrist know what’s happening (privacy laws do not preclude that, just the MD not responding). But any MD reckless enough to prescribe Adderall without using rating scales or getting third-party reports (such as from spouse) will probably refuse to consider your perspective. It’s risky.
g
My doctor had me on a very high dose of Adderall for 6 plus years. 180mg daily. I had a genetic test done she said I was ultra rapid metabolizer.
My tolerance became so high that I needed 4 30mg adderall just to began my day. I believe my dose never should have been above 90 mg. I felt it was sufficient at that time and when it got raised ya at first I felt like I was super mom. Now I’m 40. I had difficulty filling the script every month. Pharmacists questioned the dose. I decided after my mom died suddenly that I didn’t want to do this forever. My doctor was old. I knew my dose was unlikely to be prescribed by anyone else and I needed to ween off. My doctor didn’t agree so I changed doctors.
Anyways it’s been 6 months without adderall and I feel no motivation still. I gained 20 pounds within 3 weeks of quitting adderall which put me at a 28 bmi. I feel no joy. Taking a shower is dreadful. I stair at the wall and typing this is the most productive thing I’ll do this week. I don’t know If I’ve made the right choice.
No article gives me hope. I’ve depleted my dopamine my receptors etc.. everything says if u took it as prescribed u should recover within a few months. I took it as prescribed and honestly the last year I usually never took the full dose. I can’t find anything regarding research on anyone who has overcome longterm high dose use. I can’t fins anyone who has been prescribed 180 mg daily. Also I forgot to add that I asked to be switched to vyvanse.
Instead of switching me to vyvanse she just added vyvanse. So I was prescribed 180 mg of Adderall and 60mg of vyvanse daily. I wish I could have a brain scan to see if anything is happening if there is any point to keep staring at this wall or if I should just start taking a lower dose again just to feel something and contribute to my family.
Dear Sleepy,
Outrageous. I’m so sorry this happened to you.
Thanks for writing this comment. Because ADHD specialists routinely think I am exaggerating. “All medications have side effects,” some say, patronizingly. Yes, they often “gaslight” me.
I don’t care for my sake. I know what I know. But I do care for the public’s sake.
1.
You say you were taking 180mg daily — and, toward the end, took a “topper” of Vyvanse.
I’m really glad you didn’t have a stroke or some permanently crippling side effect.
2.
You have gone from taking that much Adderall over six years to taking nothing for the past six months.
Of course you will feel no motivation, joy, etc.. You’ve gained weight, etc.
There will be a period of active recovery — optimizing diet, sleep, overall health, etc.
3.
I assume that you legitimately needed the Rx in the first place. In other words, you had significant ADHD symptoms, and Adderall helped to some degree.
There is no reason to think that, over those six years, your ADHD symptoms went away. They are probably still there.
4.
At this point, you cannot know what is a long-term effect of high-dose Amphetamine and what is untreated ADHD?
I encourage you try again — this time learning more about proper prescribing for ADHD so you can better self-advocate.
I cover ADHD-related sleep and medication issues in Course 2 of my online training:
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies
5.
If you were never tried on a methylphenidate-class stimulant (e.g. Ritalin, Concerta, etc.), it might be worth a try.
Genetically speaking, some people with ADHD respond better to one than the other.
Perhaps Adderall simply was a poor choice for you — resulting in such high dosages. But anything’s possible.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Gina
Gina,
I just wanted to thank you again. I posted a comment on 12/19/21 about my husband’s unwillingness to see how negatively adderall was affecting him. It completely transformed him into someone none of our family and friends recognized anymore. He was always a goofy, kind-hearted person and adderall made him into a walking ego. He was at best insufferable and at worst scary to be around for two agonizing years.
Things finally changed when I told him I honestly just didn’t like the person he had become and didn’t want to share my life with him anymore. He just… completely unraveled.
He said he’s noticed things for a while and he’s been lying to himself as much as me. He hasn’t taken adderall since and the craziest part is it was just like flipping a switch. He went right back to the same funny, lovable person he always was… I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. For him to crash or… idk, something. But it’s been weeks and he’s just… happy. He’s back to being a parent and husband and son again.
He brings up a lot how sorry he is for what he put us all through and that he’s grateful I finally just told him I was done because it saved him from ruining his life and losing everyone he cares about.
But I think it’s important to stress that I didn’t make anything about adderall when I told him I was done with our marriage.
When I would bring it up in the past (“can we just see if things improve with our relationship by not taking it for a short period?” Etc) he would get irate. Once he grabbed his rx bottle in a rage and pointedly threw it in the trash but I got it out and put it back on his desk. Because I knew if he only stopped taking it, “for me,” then he might not come to the realization on his own that it was affecting him so terribly (and resent me for it, only making things worse).
I just wanted to share that part because it could help someone in the same situation and because he brought it up, specifically. He said it was one of the moments that forced him to realize he was being irrational (even though he wasn’t ready to admit it, yet).
I had quit taking adderall a couple months before he did (in an attempt to encourage him to try, also) so now neither of us are taking anything. It’s a little frustrating because I think it probably is the right adhd med for me, but I’m happier without it in the house of it means I have my best friend back.
Dear Jane,
Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to share your story with ADHD Roller Coaster readers. It’s critically important to have these first-person stories.
And, to see how skillfully you negotiated this. That is, by not “making it about the Adderall.” By making a clear and definitive statement about what YOU were going to do — leave the marriage. That seems to have given him the “mental space” to realize that your previous concerns were no joke. Nothing that would pass.
It’s VERY easy to get distracted by fighting about these things. “It’s the Adderall” and “No, it’s not.” Thereby completing ignoring the core issue.
I hope that once things settle, you will again find a medication that works for you (maybe Adderall, or maybe Vyvanse, if you haven’t tried it). And something that works well for your husband.
Do you know about my new course? It’s on medication and sleep. This is THE course I wish I could have given to everyone who has written desperate e-mails to me over the years, every support-group member.
I have HAD IT with MDs bungling ADHD medication — not even aware that they are wrecking lives.
I’d love for MDs to take this course (there are others, by MDs, but honestly, I don’t find them detailed enough or “real world” enough). But meanwhile, consumers will know more than 80% of prescribers and sleep specialists by taking this course.
It launched yesterday and the sale continues through midnight Labor Day (in U.S., September 5):
https://ginapera.adhdsuccesstraining.com/course-2-physical-strategies?coupon=LABORDAY75
Thanks again and good luck!
Gina
Dear Jane/Gina,
Jane – I take comfort in your story. I am living a nightmare with my husband who was casually prescribed Adderrall for “concentration” several months ago. To say that he is a changed person is a total understatement. He was so caring, thoughtful, helpful, kind – a wonderful human all-around. We have been married for almost 12 years and have three young children and a beautiful life. Despite that, he is decimating our marriage and family with his apathy, hostility, contempt, and misery. He has distorted our past – making it this narrative of how I have never supported him, loved him or been happy. None of which is true. All the while, he is laser focused on work and fully immersed in other bad habits – including desires for other women. I am at a loss and simply devastated here. Despite visiting our doctor a couple of weeks ago to request no more prescriptions, he just got another one filled, and I am crushed because I know this saga will continue. (Meanwhile, my doctor had reassured me that he would not give him another one without recommending testing. He called me to say “sorry, his request feel through the cracks.”.)
My had feels forced to end our marriage because the living situation is is untenable. The constant criticism and avoidance is too much to bear. I have asked him to stop taking the drug but he laughs that off and only points to my flaws and defects. It is truly sad that this drug can transform someone like this – and, sabotage the most sacred relationships around you.
Sara
Sara,
Not another one….how awful for you.
And yet, still, when I try to alert ADHD professionals in positions of influence, they pretty much “gaslight” me.
Some of them, anyway. The smart ones know that I speak the truth.
My public posts about this in LinkedIn recently drew a condescending comment from a pediatrician who specializes in ADHD — “just ask for another medication.”
So clueless. Of course she didn’t know who I am or my work. Just thought she’d do some MD’splaining.
They don’t get it. They don’t get how once a person gets hooked like this (not necessarily the addiction kind of hooked but hooked to that feeling of super focus).
If you feel you have a marriage to save, you might want to try a little harder.
We all swim uphill with this one.
Absolutely failure among leading clinicians and those who formulate guidelines to warn about Adderall.
Absolute failure of his prescriber failing to include you in the discussions and offer feedback.
Absolute failure of the online hustlers and snake-oil charlatans that no doubt are feeding the distortions….”see, you could have felt this great all alone. Your ‘neurotypical’ wife was holding you back.”
It’s just horrible.
take care
g
Dear Gina,
Thank you for this and other posts that have provided info on my ADHD that I can’t find anywhere else.
For several years, I was on Vyvanse and Zoloft. Things were not perfect, but better than they are now. I had to stop taking the Zoloft because of stomach bleeding. After that the Vyvanse began making me very angry, even at a lower dose.
I tried Adderall, same problem, though not quite as bad. Concerta was all but useless and the end of the day crash was terrible. My doctor just shrugged her shoulders and basically said I am out of options.
Is that really all I can do as far as stimulants? I know there are more drugs under different names, but my impression is that there are only 3 main stimulant drugs. I haven’t tried non-stimulents yet, but I am wary because Strattera made my daughter deeply depressed. It’s been about 6 months and I’m not really functioning, especially as mom to my kids. Are there any other options for me?
Dear Natalie,
How frustrating, to say the least. I’m frustrated just reading of your ordeal. In fact, I would like to give that “doctor” a piece of my tiny mind! 🙂
Seriously, you’re “out of options”. No. Just NO.
If only more prescribers read my first book’s chapters on medication…..they would know so much more than they do!
As it is, there is typically no method. Just throwing a stimulant at someone. Like a game of Pin the Tail on the Donkey.
You deserve better and so do your children.
re: Concerta. Are you sure it was brand? Here is my ongoing coverage of the Concerta generic debacle:
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-medications/authorized-generic-concerta-update/
Also, there are other factors that most prescribers don’t even know to ask about, such as how much sleep are you getting, what about any hormonal factors (peri-menopause or menopause…..or even estrogen dips each month…can affect ADHD symptoms.
So can caffeine, nicotine, diet, etc..
If your daughter didn’t do well on Strattera, maybe you won’t, either. But your genetics are not the same. So who knows. Strattera doesn’t work as well as the stimulants for most people. Maybe 25% of people with ADHD, by some estimates.
Stay tuned on my blog. I’m about to release Course 2, on Physical Strategies. This is an in-depth but highly digestible course on medication and sleep. It’s been an exhausting task but somebody needed to do something. 🙂
Hang in there. In all likelihood, there are workable options for you. It just will take some informed sleuthing.
take care,
Gina
When I need to take a break from work and wonder what else I should know about my new ADD diagnosis at 43 as an American living in Germany I come to your page. I was lucky to convince my Psychiatrist to consider my ADD (ADHS in Germany) as a potential catalyst for my depression. Citalopram got me out of my funk and leveled enough to continue with the 43 years of learned masking and coping skills, but boy did it make my symptoms of ADD more profound! So, here we are today and I’m taking 10mg of Attentin work days with a weekend break. My psychiatrist had set me up with a collegue of his who specialized in ADHD but that guy spent 5 mins reviewing my file and then prescribed me mediknet saying the Attentin was only for “kinder”. The sad thing is the mediknet made me very very depressed and I stopped it immediately when I had suicidal thoughts.
I’m back on the Attentin which is “ok”. I crash about 3 pm every day. Some caffine will get me alert enough to drive home after work but at 6pm I want to sleep!!!! The weekends are worse, I just want to sleep! Then Monday and Tuesday I’m in a fog, often very talkative at work, Wednesday through Friday I’m ok if I have a nap after work. As I said my Psychiatrist isn’t an expert on ADHD. He treats one other patient with it and he too was disappointed with the the collogue he sent me to. Would it be wise to ask for for another drug option?
Hi Joe,
I’ll make this quick as my COVID booster vaccine has hit me like a ton of bricks.
Absolutely, you should be able to try whatever stimulant is available to you. Keep track. A log. There is no stimulant just for kinder.
Do you have my first book? It details the basic procedure.
You deserve to get what works best for you.
Good luck,
G
So happy to have found your site. Your insight is right on! My beloved baby brother just took his life. He had been on Adderall for quite some time. I would love to share his story soon so others can gain insight. Thank you for your work here. It helps more than I can say….
Dear Jennifer,
Words cannot express….. my condolences to you and your family.
best,
Gina
My wife started taking Adderall over three years ago, and showed manic symptoms immediately. They continue to this day. She became paranoid and delusional, even thought I was going to poison her or kill her in her sleep. After 30+ years of total trust and never having a problem we weren’t able to work through with honesty, empathy, love, trust, and a mutual dedication to truth, responsibility, and accountability.
We have now separated. I had to move out for my own safety after she called the police on me for NO REASON other than I asked her to leave me alone and that apparently made her terrified, though no rational person would have reacted that way.
She has blown up her relationships with me, our daughter, and half a dozen friends she has been close with for decades, yet cannot, or will not, recognize that SHE is the problem, not everyone else. She has a story for each broken relationship, and none of them assign any responsibility to herself. It’s absolutely nuts, she and I have been anti-denial as a core foundational principle in our relationship forever.
I’ve written her prescribing physicians multiple times and they do nothing. My wife refuses to stop taking the drug for even a couple of weeks, as I have begged and pleaded for her to do so she can clear her mind and determine the truth for herself.
I don’t know what else I can do. Is there *any* way to get through to her or her physicians? Is there any way to trigger the APA or someone else to do an external review of the prescriber and this prescription?
Or do I just have to give up on the love of my life and a 30+ year relationship? It’s so heartbreaking.
Dear Chris,
I’m so sorry to learn of this nightmare.
I know of a similar story, where the psychologist (a well-known name online) dealt with a similar problem by telling the wife, his client: Your husband doesn’t understand ADHD treatment.
Well, neither did her parents, her siblings, and multiple friends.
The thing is, all the wife knew was that she was finally getting FOCUS — and she did not want to give it up.
And that is the problem with trying Adderall first.
I don’t know what to tell you. If you’ve written to the prescribing physicians and detailed, in brief bulleted points, the behavior that is endangering her and estranging her from loved ones…. I’m not sure what else you could do.
If it were me, I’d be writing letters of complaint to the state licensing board. Note dates and times where your wife did these things, such as called the police. Be as clinical and specific as you can.
Maybe ask her friends and other relatives to sign a joint letter.
I imagine much will depend on your state laws. Maybe this site will be helpful: https://www.psychsearch.net/complaints/
But beyond that, Chris, if everything was so great for 30+ years, why did she seek an ADHD diagnosis and treatment? Because all those things you describe are often hard to muster when poorly managed ADHD is present.
g
I don’t know where to begin with my post, so here goes…
My husband has had untreated ADHD since he was around 12 or so. He was diagnosed but the doctor didn’t really consider his “slight” ADHD a big enough deal to treat (my husband is 52 now). I’m doubting any medication will truly keep his symptoms at bay. It’s even more difficult because he has MDD, anxiety and panic. All of these exploded around the time of the pandemic, and it took forever for him to get treatment.
He was recently started on Adderall short acting last month, but then doc switched him to supposedly long acting Vyvanse for his symptoms and it seems to work. But it’s not as long acting as we thought. It is only effective from around early morning when he takes it until 2PM. After 2PM he gets horrible crashes where his symptoms are sometimes even more severe. He has had these afternoon episodes even before he started the med.
Symptoms are very scary, and some therapists didn’t even want to treat him because they were unfamiliar with this kind of behavior: slurred speech, loss of motor skills, and sometimes he falls – I obviously can’t pick him up so I’ve had to call an ambulance a few times. He gets very mean and verbally abusive and slams things, bangs walls and doors and shouts, sometimes what he says doesn’t even make sense. These episodes occurred decades ago very rarely.
It was a few years ago where the occurrences got closer together and now, he has them almost daily – and ALWAYS in the afternoon when he is exhausted. I don’t know if this is severe and crippling anxiety and panic all mixed in with ADHD rage? No doctor or therapist seems to know. Just this week he started to add Adderall (5MG) short acting in the afternoons since the Vyvanse (30MG) isn’t working for long.
He is also on lowest dose of Lexapro (10mg), and that seems to have helped with the little things that would upset him. But what about the ADHD meds? Can they make his rage worse? Just tonight he had another episode, and then he fell when he was trying to get out of bed to use the bathroom. He is incoherent and it’s terrifying. He didn’t take his Adderall dose until after 3PM (he usually takes it at 2PM). Perhaps this episode was caused by him not taking it early enough to prevent symptoms?
Anyway, does anyone have any insight into ADHD meds and depression meds together? Are antidepressants such Wellbutrin better for someone with this rage? I just don’t know what to do anymore – it’s getting harder and harder to live like this.
We are both unfamiliar with ADHD and are now just getting a crash course in this.
Hi Deborah,
I can only imagine how scary these situations are for the both of you.
MDs who prescribe Adderall and other amphetamines so easily — and always first — should be called before a disciplinary board. They are wreaking havoc and are too arrogant to have a clue.
Your question is much larger and broader than “ADHD meds and depression meds together”?
Caution: I don’t recommend getting random opinions online. It doesn’t seem you have enough margin of error.
As a recognized expert on Adult ADHD, I work hard to steer folks straight.
For starters, I highly recommend that you read my first book. It will help educate and validate you — and help you self-advocate with reckless MDs.
https://amzn.to/3HEDLtW
I just cannot imagine….the behavior you describe and Adderall being ADDED. smh.
What you describe could be a rebound — a crash — where symptoms return stronger than at baseline. But there could be many other explanations.
If he does well on Vyvanse, maybe talk to the prescriber about a second dose. Most people taking Vyvanse don’t get the 16 hours they advertise. For some, it’s more like 6-8.
But I also encourage you to think about the kind of sleep he’s been getting, also diet, and also consumption of other substances — including caffeine, nicotine, and cannabis.
All of this can increase medication side effects.
But the Lexapro itself could be making things worse. It’s extremely important to distinguish between a legitimate Depression disorder and the “depression” that can hang around people with poorly managed ADHD. These require different treatments.
Even if the Lexapro seems to help with the anger, etc., but it could also be making things worse, such as when he fell. Maybe even in having trouble regulating angry reactions.
My online training will give you the “crash course” you need in Adult ADHD, including relationships. I implore you not to self-educate with most of the stuff we see online. That mostly keeps people going in circles.
https://adhdsuccesstraining.com/solving-your-adult-adhd-puzzle-for-couples-and-individuals/
That is the foundational course.
I’m soon launching Course 2, on medication and sleep.
take care,
Gina Pera
It’s been awhile since anyone has commented, but I just wanted to comment on the MARKED difference I felt between taking Adderall XR and Adderall IR(?). I was initially prescribed the “typical” introductory dose upon re-diagnosis at age 32(ish; I had originally been diagnosed with ADHD at 18, thought probably should have been tested around 11… another story).
Anyways, my productivity and focus is perfectly timed with my 15mg about 20 minutes before heading into work, or getting ready to start my day… however, my partner and I just came to the realization that I need to take another half dose around 2pm to complete the “rest of my day” at home…
However, this was self-tested, which can be risky, BUT also necessary (in my opinion) for each individual to find out whether or not their doctors actually know them better than they do themselves … (does that make sense?)
Hi there,
The previous comment was 6/2/22 — just a few days ago. Perhaps you are looking at the older comments first.
As to your question, yes, absolutely it makes sense. This is why I have always focused on educating consumers (Adults with ADHD and couples) about medication.
The hard truth is, we just cannot rely on the average prescriber to have a clue.
If you’ve only tried Adderall — XR or IR — that is a huge indication that your prescriber is clueless.
I’m not encouraging being your own psychopharmacologist, and it’s probably a good idea to let your doctor know what you’re doing.
But it’s not as if you’re abusing the medication that you were prescribed. You’re just trying to extend it throughout the day and evening (time of relationship interaction!)
If you’ve tried no other stimulant, it’s important to know that the recommended protocol is to try at least one medication in each class of stimulant.
I hope this helps.
Gina
My doctor first put me through three different medications. First it was Strattera, which only made me depressed. Then, Vyvanse, which I favored out of the three, only because it made me feel more normal. But because my insurance wouldn’t cover it, they switched me to Adderall, which was okay at first. After about three months I started to become something evil, lashing out on my loved ones without realizing. One minute I was on cloud nine, the next I was irritable or depressed. All of the motivation I had was gone, and I began to question my purpose/existence. Almost as if my brain would go numb and I’d feel like I wasn’t in control of my body or thoughts. When I miss a day or two, I crash, and sleep for sometimes 14+ hours. Without the medication I do not feel normal, I feel zombified. But the issue is, I prefer who I was before the medication, because that person had hobbies, and friends. My doctor then prescribed me Wellbutrin as well, in combination with the Adderall. I’ve been taking both for about two months now and it helped in the beginning, but I despise myself without it, and feel off about having to take a pill to survive now. Adderall has ruined so many of my cherished relationships, caused me to flunk out of college, and most importantly made me lost my mind. I’m only nineteen and I feel like my life is ruined.
Brooke — I’m so sorry that an RX that was working for you….was no longer accessible.
Sometimes it’s a matter of getting a pre-authorization, as to why Vyvanse worked best for you.
Treating the side effects of Adderall with Wellbutrin…..[banging head against wall]…..
Also, you were never given a trial of the other class of stimulants — methylphenidate? (e.g. Concerta, Ritalin, etc.)
You should have been. That’s basic protocol.
But now you’ve tried the Adderall they pushed on you, and you feel it’s wrecking your life.
You deserve better. I encourage you to self-advocate for what you need.
This is your life. And you have a right to live it fully.
take care,
g
I understand completely how you feel. I was also previously prescribed vyvanse, and it worked well. I felt “normal”. Then insurance stopped covering it, so I take adderall. I hate feeling dependent on it. I believe I read that a generic for vyvanse may be available next year. I hope so
Hi Michele,
Have you tried appealing?
I’m not optimistic about a Vyvanse generic. When a new White House administration moved in, its new FDA chief pushed through all kinds of generics. Including those with novel delivery systems.
That created a HUGE mess for people who take Concerta. Authorized Generic Concerta Medication Update
FDA scientists had wanted more proof of “bioequivalence” but the Trump-appointed FDA chief disregarded concerns.
Now that the cows are out of the barn, I can’t imagine we’ll ever be able to fix this. But who knows.
Vyvanse also has a novel “pro-drug” delivery system. It might be easier to replicate than Concerta’s laser-drilled osmotic pump (OROS). But that remains to be seen.
Also, as their drugs near patent expiration, the pharmaceutical companies tend to find ways to make deals — and extend the brand.
If you do best on Vyvanse, it might be the smooth, extended delivery system. Or it might be the fact that is DEXEDRINE — unlike Adderall’s mixed amphetamine salts.
If the latter, you might do better on dexedrine than Adderall.
good luck
Gina
I was prescribed Adderall three years ago and it ruined me. I was paranoid, delusional, euphoric… I lost my husband, family, friends and so much more. I can’t believe where I am now.
Dear Carrie,
I feel for you, Carrie. That sounds like a long-running nightmare. I wish you all the best in your recovery.
Gina
I’m a 37 year old female who was diagnosed last year with ADHD and almost immediately, my entire life made sense. Every pro-treatment article I have read, I have identified with. I was that child with all the “potential” that I never lived up to.
Time paralysis. I’d never seen a task to completion in my life. Being physically and mentally unable to make myself or anyone else proud led me into a downward depression spiral at 15 which led to a bipolar diagnosis that followed me around for 2 decades. I’d tried every medication in the book and nothing worked.
The twist? My alcohol addiction. It took the right therapist actually listening to me to hear the facts: When on a bender, or in general really, my alcoholism mimicked mania. Everything in between was left me to feel my own feelings sober, and I never liked how I felt unless I was drowning it all in booze. Any time I wasn’t drinking, I was depressed. And as my addiction progressed, I was depressed even when I was drinking.
I strongly believe I turned to alcohol in the first place because of the issues caused by my ADHD. Now obviously because of my addiction history, no doctor wanted to touch a diagnosis. That was, until, a doctor finally heard me. My psychiatrist started me on Vyvanse after I’d had a year sober, which only made my heart rate spike and caused me to lose 20 lbs in a few months. This was worrisome because I had ED history that I had under control and I knew I was looking at the weight loss as a “positive” and that I’d be better off trying something else. So we tried adderall. I’m on 20 mg XR and a 10 mg IR booster in the afternoon. We started on 10 and 5 and we didn’t raise my dose until 6 months after the initial dose and adjustment.
I feel fairly confident that my doctor is doing right by me. I feel like she asks the right questions. This article makes me wonder though if I’m acting any differently than I was before in a negative way. I sometimes feel irritable but it’s not consistently. Adderall hasn’t been the life-altering drug I thought it would be. I had almost hoped for an epiphany, but I cannot deny how much it helps.
After years in AA/NA, I knew not to grow too fond of that initial euphoria. I didn’t want abuse to even be an option (even though I trusted myself) so I have my brother manage my medication, and my psych is aware of this.
I often feel so stigmatized. I’m ashamed of the fact that I’m on this medication because of my past. It’s frowned upon in a lot of AA circles, and moreso in NA. It feels like my dark secret.
I’m looking forward to reading your other articles and your book. It’s rare to find writing on this topic to be both pro-treatment AND deeply pro-awareness, especially of the less talked about side effects. I’m glad you touched on that Netflix documentary. While I haven’t watched it, I had bookmarked it. The way you describe it sounds like how I imagine my peers feel about ADHD medication. That it’s just evil. My life is remarkably different now, not just because of my sobriety but because of my ADHD treatment. I had tried to get sober in the past and it never stuck. Now that my issues are being properly addressed, I don’t feel the need to drink anymore. I felt compelled to share my story with you and thank you for writing this article.
Hi Christina,
I understand. You articulate these issues in all their complexity very clearly.
MANY people with unrecognized ADHD turn to “something” to feel better, to stop the noise in their heads — alcohol, meth, sex, shopping, eating, trolling, etc.
ADHD already means lower-than-average inhibition. Add alcohol and that low inhibition goes even lower. Hence, maybe, that mania-like appearance.
Unfortunately, your doctor maybe isn’t fully aware of the issues. Kudos to that doctor for sincerely wanting to help you. Many won’t touch a patient with “addiction history” — especially with stimulants.
But she should still know that you don’t prescribe as the first options amphetamines to a person with addiction history.
This is partly because the majority of prescribers remain clueless about ADHD. As I wrote here in the context of Adderall.
So you’ve been prescribed two amphetamines — Vyvanse and Adderall — and never a methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin, Concerta, etc.)
It’s true that some people with ADHD will lose weight once they start any stimulant treatment — because they are better able to regulate food consumption and to avoid “self-medicating” with food. But the amphetamines in particular can cause weight loss beyond that, sometimes out of spiking anxiety.
I am glad that you have validated a point I often make about AA — and that is, beware of the meetings where there is an anti-medication mindset. It’s not every meeting. But it’s some. And to deny that is to deny reality.
I wrote about AA here, and there are many comments on the topic of ADHD and AA and alcoholism.
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-news-and-research/alcoholics-anonymous-and-adhd/
You might be interested also in this article on ADHD and meth — especially the comments:
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/essays/i-was-addicted-to-meth-when-i-was-diagnosed-with-adhd/
Finally, people of my generation well remember when “almost everybody” smoked cigarettes. They were ubiquitous. Imagine how much ADHD that obscured. Imagine how much ADHD was revealed when folks stopped smoking! 🙂
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/myth-busting/adhd-nicotine-historical-ads/
You sound very clear to me, and very smart. I’m sorry that you are not getting the kind of support you might need from those around you. Maybe look for ADHD support, specifically, or an ADHD group that is a little more sophisticated, medically, than others. Perhaps one near a university or teaching hospital.
Obviously, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You were trying to get through life the best way you could manage, absent ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
Unlike some of those people criticizing you, you have stepped into the 21st Century and are appreciating the ridiculous complexity and vulnerability of the human brain.
Kudos! And wish you all the best.
g
Hello! I’m a 24 year old woman with ADHD and autism, and I take adderall. Was wondering if there’s some other combination of symptoms that tend to work really well with adderall?
At a high enough dose, it does wonders for me. Before I took it, or when the dosage was too low, I was exhausted all the time, extremely emotional, negative, irritable. Struggled to get out of bed, struggled to do basic chores, would sometimes get overwhelmed and just stop moving and stare forward. I’d get so upset I’d start hitting myself. I’ve also always moved and talked slower than everyone else.
On adderall? I simultaneously have more energy and more focus. I’m like a zombie when I’m NOT on my meds, or when the dosage is too low. Went from wandering around my workplace feeling agitated and unfocused to getting stuff done. I moved faster! It also had the wonderful effect of giving me the ability to read again. I felt good for the first time in my life.
I understand not wanting to rely completely on how people feel, but I literally went from being exhausted and miserable to being relatively content. Even if it does change my personality, my dopamine-deprived personality is not very good company for myself or anyone else. I’m nicer because I can remember social cues and don’t have to fight through misery to act on a desire to be nice. I clean up after myself at home. My suicidal ideation just about vanishes when the adderall works properly.
I wonder if it had something to do with having primarily inattentive features. Everything in my brain is already so slow, except for looping nonsense anxiety thoughts – which reduce considerably on the adderall. My anxiety gets better on it. My natural energy levels are very low.
The only clear negative side-effect I’ve had is dehydration and the resulting constipation. Which is what is so strange. I see so many report such extreme negative side effects, or even just moderate negative effects that have to be balanced out in other ways. Yet for me it has been wholly positive. Adderall also works incredibly well for other members of my family.
It’s difficult to tell if my sleep is impacted because I’ve always had issues with sleep – an autistic tendency that’s incredibly difficult to break. I might even sleep better or more consistently taking adderall because it’s easier to break looping behaviors on it – though I always try to follow the instructions not to take it too long after 5 pm (work sometimes means I have a nontraditional sleep schedule).
Basically, if it ever turned out that adderall had too many side-effects to use, or stopped working, it might be a tragedy for me. I’m not chasing focus. It gives me emotional regulation and a baseline level of energy that helps me make healthier lifestyle choices. Ironically, it tends to interrupt hyperfocus when it’s working at optimal levels.
Today I started an increased dose and looking back at the rambling depressive text I’ve written and impulsively sent to people or put on the internet as recently as yesterday is scary. And I want to emphasize that I did things like that before I ever took adderall, as well. That’s how quickly it changes my behavior for the better.
Apologies if this is too long. I’m not trying to argue, but was more wondering what it is about my brain that seems to work so well with this medication.
Hi Victoria,
Just to be clear…..I did open with this:
—Prescription Adderall works very well for some people with ADHD.
—For others, Adderall can create more problems than it solve.
—Poorly prescribed Adderall can create or exacerbate anxiety, irritability, grandiosity, tunnel vision, and even rage.
Absolutely. It no surprise that you felt improvements in the various challenges you mention when you started Adderall. This might be true with any other stimulant, depending on your neurochemistry.
But what I’m not seeing in your post is mention of any other stimulant you have tried. In other words, prescribers should give a trial of both classes of stimulants. If you’ve had only Adderall, you’ve had only one class (amphetamine) and Adderall works differently than the other amphetamine, Dexedrine.
Another thing: You mention that your issues with sleep are an “autistic tendency.” Sleep disorders are enormously common with ADHD, too.
I am not disputing your ASD diagnosis. But I will point out that many mental-health professionals diagnose ASD when what they’re actually seeing is ADHD. They just don’t know how to differentiate ADHD-driven “social anxiety” or “not reading social cutes” with that associated with ASD.
Yet, the two often travel together (moreso when ASD is the primary condition than in the opposite direction). Even then, the expert consensus is to maximize ADHD treatment first and then see what’s left that might be ASD.
If Adderall is working well for you, great. If you’ve never tried anything else, especially in the Amphetamine class, it might be worth trying Vyvanse. Just to see. Maybe you’ll experience less dehydration and constipation.
I hope this helps.
Gina
Thank you for this article!
I was on 5mg of generic adderall for a year and a half after being diagnosed at 32. I decided it wasn’t working very well after seeing my best friend also get diagnosed and start treatment with adderall and the positive changes it made for her that I wasn’t experiencing.
I spoke with my psychiatrist who recommended we try switching to 15mg extended release. A short time later, I was feeling worse. I had a noticeable cognitive decline. Words simply weren’t coming to me when trying to have conversations, I felt like a zombie.
So, she switched my dose to 10mg XR twice daily. For the first couple of weeks I usually forgot to take the afternoon dose, and I was feeling EXHAUSTED all the time. I emailed her and her response was to do a sleep test and look for apnea? Out of the blue.
Well, it’s been a week after that and I set reminder alarms and haven’t missed a dose. Now, I’m angry. I’m a complete b*tch to my partner. I work in special education and my years long reputation for being the warm, nice and patient one is out the door. I’m impatient and snappy with everyone.
I’m glad I’m realizing this in such a short amount of time, but I’m concerned my doctor won’t accept this and make a change. I would gladly go back to the 5mg dose if it meant ditching this. My insurance is notoriously terrible with mental health care, and I don’t have much of an option to switch doctors. This has inspired me to do everything I can to self advocate for trying a different medication altogether.
Hi Natalia,
How DARE that doctor. I mean, seriously. How DARE SHE?
Following even the most basic established protocol, you should have been given a trial of each class of stimulants (methylphenidate and amphetamine).
Instead, she stuck with ONE amphetamine, the one with the highest side-effect profile! First, generic (a potential can of worms all its own). Next, higher dose and extended release.
Finally, ratcheting down 5 mg.
Still not seeing the error of her ways, she suggests a sleep study! That’s beyond the pale.
NEVER TRYING ANOTHER AMPHETAMINE (E.G. VYVANSE) OR METHYLPHENIDATE (E.G. CONCERTA, RITALIN, ETC.).
Sometimes, MDs would prefer being told what to do by patients. It’s easier. Maybe your physician is like many others who disregard all evidence and continue to believe “Adderall is Best.” Based on nothing but aggressive pharma marketing 20 years ago! It sticks around in the mythology.
Maybe you could diplomatically ask for a trial of Ritalin. Now, this will come with issues all its own because you will mainly get generics. But you’re taking generics now, so…
If you think you can get authorized-generic Concerta, you can try that.
Read this post first: https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-medications/authorized-generic-concerta-update/
Mostly, I encourage you to get your hands on my first book. https://amzn.to/3P205Ro
Among its many “firsts” is a detailed approach to optimizing medication. If more physicians read just those chapters, we’d see an incredible step up in the standard of care. But alas, too many just wing it. I’d like to report them all to state licensing boards—and “Yelp” them, too. Nobody is looking out for their patients!
Here’s what I would do:
1. Read the book. Get the paperback, not the Kindle, so you can take it to the MD, if need be.
2. Write down on paper, in BRIEF bullet points, the changes that you have experienced on Adderall. Use two columns – positive and negative.
Any MD with any working neurons at all, seeing nothing but a list of negatives — some quite alarming (losing words) — should clearly see…..this has to change.
3. Mention a friend who might have tried Adderall, to similar response, and then tried Vyvanse or Concerta, to much better response.
Do you have such a friend? If not, I do. You can borrow them. ;-). I’m not encouraging you to lie. But this is a bit like guerrilla warfare: You are stuck with a lazy MD, and you must get what you need. It’s not like you are a “drug seeker”. Those seeking to abuse stimulants always want Adderall. You do NOT want it.
4. If none of that works, show her my book. The medication chapters, in particular.
Point out the high-level endorsements, the fact that the protocol I share I developed with a preeminent ADHD expert.
5. I would say forward the link to this article, but some lazy MDs don’t want to see what their patients are “reading on Dr. Google”.
I’m sure you will figure it out. Just put your mind to it!
Good luck
Gina
My son was prescribed Adderall ER in fifth grade. By 11th grade, age 17, he wanted out so we talked to his doctor who referred us to a psychiatrist. He weaned him off. Things were fine for about a year then slowly a monster emerged. He started having psychotic events, anger, depression, then when he thought it a joke that he said he was going to cut his wrist, then if that didn’t work use a rope or his belt I called 911. The psych ward diagnosis was bipolar disorder. So our lives have been hell since. His is now going to be 30 and lives in his own sad, angry world. And he lives with me. I refuse to put him on the street. He was not addicted to his meds and now refuses meds because well the Adderall was a lie and he knows this. Where do we go from here. His life is not his own and neither is mine.
Hi Cheryl,
I’m confused. Your son took Adderall ER from 5th grade to 11th grade. At which point he “wanted out.”
But you don’t mention that he did poorly on the Adderall. Otherwise, why keep him on it for 6 years?
It’s possible that he was unable to cope with his ADHD symptoms, after treating them for six years. Perhaps it’s also possible that he was abusing street drugs, cannabis, alcohol, going without sleep? That alone can create psychotic events.
It makes no sense that he suddenly has bipolar disorder. After being on an amphetamine that could push bipolar to the extremes.
From the sound of it, he’s been failed by the “care providers” he’s seen. He might have given up hope. Especially if he’s gotten the idea that the Rx he took for 6 years was a lie and he “really” has bipolar disorder.
I encourage you to think again about the sequence of events, get more clear, and then set about pursuing more effective treatment.
good luck,
Gina
Thank you for this article! I’ve been on generic adderall ( 20 mg XR daily) for about a year, after being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 39. It seemed to be helping but I was having work related anxiety (ER Nurse) so my psychiatric provider started me on escitalopram and within two days I wanted to rip my skin off, was having palpitations and balance issues. Stopped that, started Sertraline which wasn’t helpful and they increased the dose when I told them my anxiety was getting worse, because ” the therapeutic dose is actually higher.”
After 20 years working in the hospital environment I realized it was the Healthcare system itself and it was time for a career change. I still feel super anxious yet apathetic, spacey and just off, like my thoughts are fast and my physical movements are slow and I need to think about the steps to doing tasks. Weirdly grateful that I don’t have insurance so I can wean myself off of both. Definitely not a combo with synergistic benefits and I miss feeling like myself.
Hi Ashley,
Career considerations aside, the sorry truth is that you’ve received very poor medical care.
Shockingly bad, really.
Read to the end of the article to see how things should go. It sounds like it’s worth trying again, this time with education and self-advocating.
good luck,
g
Thank you so much for this article. My husband and I have been together for over 20 years, every single one of them very happily. We both have adhd so I have a pretty good understanding of it.
I take 10mg twice a day and while it calms me and decreases my pain levels from ai disease, I will gladly go back to no treatment if I could get my husband to stop taking his.
He has gone from a kind, thoughtful, goofy guy that loves being with our kids and I, to a self-absorbed, ego-maniacal, special interest-obsessed, sometimes downright mean person that none of us recognize anymore.
My problem is *he doesn’t see it AT ALL.* I don’t know how to make him see it.
I’m his mind, he has reached his full potential and nobody likes it because we’re so used to him being the, “weaker,” version of himself.
My marriage is on a path that I never in a million years would have seen coming. We truly were genuinely happy, we’ve been best friends above all for 25 years, and adderall is going to cause the end of it all. I don’t know this person… I’d say who sleeps in my bed but that’s when he actually sleeps.
How do I get him to realize what’s happening to him?
Dear Jane,
I just hate it when I’m right about this. So sorry you are dealing with the fall out of yet another reckless prescriber not having a clue about Adderall’s potential effect.
I would write to the prescriber, reporting what is happening. But that’s me.
You also might consider an alternate Rx, such as Vyvanse. If you like it, maybe you can convince him go try it.
take care,
g
Dear Jane,
I have experience with this. My marriage ended and I blame adderall. I have adhd but adderall warped my mind and body and I was aware but unable to stop. Twenty three years later I’m finally off this drug but no marriage and poor health. If you can see what’s happening, you are a step ahead of where I was. I was the addict and my husband didn’t know my behavior change was drug related when I lost my mind and then filed for divorce. I miss him every single day if my godforsaken life. I was so euphoric in the early years of that drug that couldn’t admit or see the problem.
I hope you find help. I would recommend alanon meetings or something similar. You may learn how to avoid enabling while still keeping your sanity. I wish my experience could help someone else. I’d love to think your husband might read this and have it resonate enough to stop the drug.. It’s so so hard to live with the aftermath of adderall addiction damage. Best of luck to you and your family.
Hi Pam,
I’m so sorry your prescriber failed you so badly. I wish this were a thing of the past. Unfortunately, no.
I wish you all the best.
g
I am in tears reading this. I feel like I live with dr hey jell and mr. Hyde.
Off the meds it’s amazing and we are happy
But on the meds it’s a living hellish nightmare.
I could go on but it’s like I live in a prison and am told how awful I am every day.
It’s a hellish landscape but at least I know I’m not alone.
Hi Rachav,
No, you’re not alone. And life can be better.
Adderall is not the only choice in stimulants. FAR FAR from it.
I encourage you to read my book to learn how medication treatment SHOULD go for ADHD — but hardly ever does.
https://amzn.to/3rCe3Ac
take care,
g
Thank you for this article. I discovered it while researching my side effects. I was prescribed Adderall and took it for over a year. I loved it- I was able to finish tasks at work and home with ease. I didn’t realize how negatively it impacted my personal relationships until I came off of it due to my marriage failing. I was filled with anger, rage and uncontrollable outbursts over small issues. While on Adderall I never thought I was the problem and I was accomplishing my tasks so it was working, right? After two weeks of being off of it I returned to my normal relaxed “chill” self with no feelings of anger or rage. My marriage improved 100% and things were fine again. I will take my ADHD symptoms over the anger/irritability and rage from the medication. The rage I felt is such an indescribable feeling and it was truly awful but due to the medication working for my ADHD I wasn’t able to see this. I am happy for articles like confirming this which is what lead me to my search. I was well aware of the common side effects like insomnia and decreased appetite but I never would of thought it would turn me into such an angry unrecognizable person. My heart was filled with hate. I wish I was able to find something without the risk of that ever happening again.
Hi Chelsea,
Thank you for sharing your story. Less-than-astute (and self-interested) voices in the field have “gaslighted” me for years about this.
It’s only when they discovered how popular this post is that they appropriated the “keyword” and use it to drive traffic to their sites.
Your story represents a key reason I’ve taken up this educational mission. That is, people who try Adderall and have a similar experience decide never to try medication again. That they’ll take ADHD symptoms over that hellish experience.
And that’s just criminal.
I encourage you to read my first book’s chapters on medication. You will learn what maybe 20% of prescribers know….and about 5% practice.
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?
You deserve relief from ADHD symptoms—without paying a price.
Good luck!
Gina
Hi Gina,
Thanks for sharing this article. My wife sent it to me. This year (2021) I started taking psych meds for the first time in my life. I am on 20mg Citalopram for depression (working?) and I have been prescribed 30mg Amphetamine-D salt combo (Generic for Adderall.) The prescription is for 20mg in the AM and 10mg in the afternoon. I am a recovering addict and do not choose to self-prescribe with medications, so I have negotiated with the psychiatrist down to 10mg in the morning, and 0 in the afternoon. This seems to me to be working reasonably well; 20mg a day gave me a sense of “dark and desperate stress” after 5 days in a row. That has lifted with the lighter dose. I have a work-from-home job and I am also involved in a new business start-up with some friends. Also involved at church and in four 12-step programs. I understand I am very busy and need to keep everything organized, which is difficult with my untreated brain, and a little better with the medication.
The main concern is that my wife is noticing and commenting that she does not see my level of distraction improving (leaving the heater on in the basement; forgetting a commitment I made – that I did not add to the calendar; etc.)
I have a concern that she is possibly noticing things that have always been true but assigning value to them. (We are both adult children of alcoholism and/or abuse.) I am 54, and I do not want to destroy my brain or my memory with medication; I also do not want to lose my job because of underperformance.
I saw what you said about trying different classes of medications. I did try another medication, Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride), and it seemed to have no result for me other than horrible constipation. I spoke with a friend who swears by it, and he said he has had to take stool softeners since he was a teenager.
I have another friend with ADHD who takes Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) and believes in it (actually encouraged me to try it.) I find that this particular medication has no generic form, so I am highly resistant to trying it because of some of the drug company issues you raised; specifically my own mistrust of them.
I have asked the psychiatrist (who seems to be a reasonable person) about Vyvanse and he does not think it is a good fit. Thinks it is too expensive and would not be great for me.
I will consider asking the psychiatrist about the methylphenidate class of medication (and possibly the dexmethylphenidate, although that also seems limited to one manufacturer.) Not sure why you separate out Adderall and do not discuss generic forms in your article…
Thanks for listening.
Hi John,
Thanks for visiting. You ask great questions.
Unfortunately, answering them properly will require more information than I can provide here.
I will hit the highlights and refer you to my first book
Both the book and the course could critically speed your learning curve and build a strong foundation for continued progress.
Here are some highlights:
1. ADHD is often misdiagnosed as depression. Because people with ADHD get “depressed” about their challenges. Also, ADHD can “look like” depression to the average clinician because it is associated with low motivation, initiation, etc..
The upshot being, Celexa (Citalopram) might not be helping you at all. It might be making ADHD symptoms worse.
You and your doctor should be clear about this.
2. Why would any physician prescribe Adderall to a patient with a history of substance-use challenges? It beggars belief. But it happens all the time. 🙁
Vyvanse is also an amphetamine but it has a slower release than Adderall. Moreover, it is dexedrine while Adderall has multiple amphetamine salts. There is a savings program you might check out. https://www.vyvanse.com/coupon
You should have been given a trial of a methylphenidate stimulant (e.g. Concerta, Ritalin, etc.)
3. Strattera is thought to work for only about 30% of people with ADHD. For more, though, a low dose works well in combination with a stimulant.
4. Combining Citalopram and Adderall carries some real risks.
Maybe this page will come through. If not, just enter the two drug names and see.
https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=679-0,190-1645
excerpt:
Talk to your doctor before using citalopram together with amphetamine.
Citalopram may increase the effects of amphetamine, and side effects such as jitteriness, nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, and racing thoughts have been reported.
Combining these medications can also increase the risk of a rare but serious condition called the serotonin syndrome, which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
5. As far as your wife perhaps “noticing things that have always been true but assigning value to them.”
I don’t understand your question here. Of course, both of you should be re-framing long-standing challenges through the ADHD lens. This is how you gauge how well the medication is working — or making things worse. Without, you are both guessing. Moreover, medication improves ADHD symptoms. You will also need to review your old interpretations of your challenges and means of coping.
I emphasize this in my book.
6. It makes no sense that your prescriber gives you Adderall but “doesn’t think Vyvanse is a good fit.” No sense at all.
The fact that Adderall’s manufacturer also makes Vyvanse shouldn’t cloud anyone’s decision. Separate drugs.
7. You ask: “Not sure why you separate out Adderall and do not discuss generic forms in your article”
I don’t know what you mean, sorry. Adderall is the topic here. Including its generics. I’ve written MANY other posts warning about the potentially problematic differences between brand and generic.
8. Increasing research shows that properly treating ADHD with medication actually can improve brain function and overall health. Those studies were done with methylphenidate, though, and not amphetamines. Especially Adderall.
9. You and your wife should be working on cooperative strategies to support “getting things done” at home and elsewhere. You’ll find some in the last chapter of my book.
I hope this helps.
Gina
It helps me.I would not get off the couch or hear my kids in the backseat because I would block them out.It lowers my bp.I feel like I get my 20 projects started done.I have a hard time with the stigmatism of taking Adderall.I take a very low dose.I dont abuse it.But unfortunately it makes my anxiety worse.
HI Trinny,
I’m glad Adderall seems to work for you. I noted in the first paragraph that Adderall works well for many people.
The problem is the “denial” around its problems, especially from its manufacturer. Not by people “abusing” it. By people trying only to treat their ADHD.
When a stimulant makes your anxiety worse, that is a problem. Your physician should try to address that. Unfortunately, many (especially those prescribing Adderall as a general rule) remain clueless.
Possibilities:
1. You also have an anxiety disorder that should be treated, along with ADHD.
2. Adderall is causing the anxiety, due to its molecular function
3. Generic Adderall
4. Adderall is not the best stimulant for you. If you haven’t been given a trial of several others, you’ll never know.
5. If you’re also smoking cigarettes or drinking coffee, that can exacerbate the reaction.
good luck,
g
Adderall abuse has destroyed my wife
She is a full blow addict and alcoholic now. I blame the Dr that gave her 90mg a day. She was depressed not adhd. Now our entire life is a mess. My 5 childeren and I have lost her completely. Someone needs to stop this from happening.
Dear Brad,
That is unforgivable. I’m so sorry that happened to your family.
It might well be that she has ADHD, not depression. ADHD can look like depression.
The problem is that reckless prescriber.
The problem is also one Pharma that has way too many people and organizations in its slimy pocket.
g
Yes it has changed the total mindset of mine as well. I feel so deeply sorry for you just remember as I do the person on the medication is not the one underneath. The worst part is anyone of a age to fake the test can get it. Just answer yes to the correct questions then boom you now have a fix.
Hi Gary,
These doctors need to be reported to state licensing boards.
I for one am sick of them getting away with this.
g
Thanks for this. I AM pretty confident that I have ADHD but every psychiatrist I saw in college would keep throwing SSRIs at me or Trintellix which, as you know, is an SSRI but also modulates receptors for some reason that no one can really seem to explain. Every single time I have taken an SSRI I’ve felt better for a bit and then gotten increasingly aggitated.
Eventually got diagnosed with ADHD and trialed metadate CD but had awful afternoon crashes. Adderall XL seems so far to be the best but at first I didn’t feel much now I think my dose is a bit too high. But, as is often the case, I’ve had emotional regulation issues my whole life. For some reason nurse practitioners / doctors keep throwing SSRIs at me so now I’m back on trintellix and adderall and that combo is NOT good. I feel increasingly agitated, much much more so than I did on adderall but instead of listening my nurse today told me to just switch it with Paxil. Which, in addition to being another SSRI, can SEVERLY boost concentrations of adderall through inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down. I’m continuing to be more and more agitated and, yes was self medicating with pot that I’ve recently stopped using.
I really just wanted to try an alpha agonist but for some reason not a single nurse will prescribe. My issue is I can tell they don’t know what they’re talking about but when you try to ask informed questions they tend to act like its come insult to their credentials.
“You didn’t go to med school'”
“Yeah and yet I seem to know more about this than you I agree that’s pretty shocking”
I don’t know why it’s so hard to get Vynase but I really wanted to ask about it because it doesn’t have the D-isomer that is associated with some of the preipherial effects.
Fortunatley I made an appointment with an ADHD specific psychiatrist/ therapist for a month from now so hopefully I can just muddle through and finally be able to talk to somone who knows what they are talking about.
It does seem that the amphetamine class is the one I respond better to but I don’t understand why it HAS to be adderall and I especially don’t understand why they keep trying to add an SSRI when I have had bad reactions every time or, she even suggested a mood stabilizer. Why not an alpha agonist! I’ve heard very very good things about guanfacine. Ugh.
HI Will,
I appreciate your frustration.
The only reason it “has” to be Adderall is….ignorant prescribers brainwashed by one bad-actor (and I mean bad) Pharma. Years ago, but very aggressively. The one that distributes Adderall.
Aggressive marketing doesn’t go away on its own. There must be an active counter.
And yes, it’s nothing short of malpractice to keep throwing SSRIs at people with poorly managed ADHD.
Sometimes I get really tired of being the “watchdog” on all these points. 🙁
Maybe an alpha-agonist would be helpful. But they are much farther down the line, as far as proven efficacy, compared to the stimulants and Strattera.
In fact, few people were even talking about alpha-agonists for adults until one Pharma-dominated website made up a diagnosis and recommended alpha-agonists’ to treat it. Claiming “research” but not providing it. Guess who makes the Rx that’s recommended for this made-up diagnosis? You guessed it.
It’s horrible. Corruption at its worst. Gives evidence to the conspiracy theories about ADHD being a Big Pharma Invention.
There’s no reason you should not be able to try Vyvanse (ironically, made by the same company, and they made false claims about it, too, such as being “non-abusable” …. after denying for years that Adderall was highly abusable). Unless your insurance plan will provide only generics. There’s a Vyvanse savings card.
https://www.vyvanse.com/coupon
But how do you know you respond better to the amphetamine class? What have you tried in the MPH class? And was it brand or generic?
If you’re expecting to “feel” something from the medication, for the most part that’s the wrong approach. And it’s why people are so vulnerable to the Adderall bzz.
Good luck,
Gina
Thanks Gina, and I agree “feeling” it is the wrong approach. I don’t want to be amped up just calm and focused. I tried metadate CD first and it actually was more “noticable” than even adderall xr, I think because it wore off more sharply. Vynase or a lower dose of the adderall than I’m on now is probably the way to go. I just wish there was something out there that was especially good for the emotional regulation issues that I’ve had since I was a kid. I’ve always been a “hot head” and it’s really hard for me to step back and control my reactions. Adderall probably isn’t making it better but I know that it’s been a problem even before the adderall. Are there any drugs out there that are especially good for the more social/ emotional symptoms of ADHD rather than just the focus stuff? Being able to pay attention at work has been huge but I want to work on my relationships with other people and try to build some friendships but the reactivity is getting in the way. Thanks again
Hi Will,
That one MD, promoting a rogue idea with a rogue treatment, has confused so many people. It’s unforgivable.
The stimulants themselves can help mitigate “hot head” reactions— by giving people with ADHD better self-regulation overall. With mood, with temper, with focus, etc..
Metadate CD is an extremely old formulation. I don’t know anyone who takes that now. Maybe for some people, it might be useful. But it’s rarely used these days.
I encourage you to try a newer methylphenidate formulation, such as Concerta (brand or authorized generic).
A basic ADHD medication-treatment protocol, as detailed in my book (Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?) recommends trying at least two formulations in each class.
Some people will gain better control with their tempers/frustration via the amphetamine class. But some will experience increased irritability and anger via the amphetamine class.
You haven’t been given a fair trial, so I would not give up yet.
good luck,
g
Hi Gina,
I just started reading this article but I saw this line:
” Those of you in Australia, where the NHS considers it the stimulant of choice, be aware.”
The NHS is the healthcare service for the UK, rather than Australia. As far as I know from personal experience and other ADHD people here, Adderall isn’t commonly prescribed here. Generic versions of Concerta and more recently Elvanse are the medications of choice. Though the NHS Scotland (where I live and who I work from) are separate to NHS for the rUK and both are split into tons of healthboards and trusts all with different formulary, so there may be individual areas prescribing it.
Thanks for the correction, Cameron.
Yes, I know that the UK healthcare system is called the NHS.
With Australia, I was using the term generically….the national healthcare system.
Australia’s system is called Medicare, which is confusing to American readers.
But I will clarify.
tx
g
Ah Apologies in that case Gina. I’m so used to thinking of NHS as a specific healthcare system I didn’t realise it’s also an acronym.
It’s probably not an acronym! I was probably just tired. 🙂
Takes a lot of work to write these posts!
Thanks,
g
Thank you, Gina!
I almost started to cry when reading your article and the other people’s experiences from the comments.
Everything was so spot on…I mean the severe anxiety, the tunnel vision, angry outburst. Even the cannabis to just relax and get sleep. AND THE GOOGLE SEARCHES!
I’m 28 years old, and I’m currently taking Adderall. I have been taking it on and off for the last 9 years. I absolutely HATE how it makes me feel. I believe I started off at 5 mg and it continually increased over the years. I have not tried any other type of medication. Like you had mention, I kind of always just thought that I had the deal with the negative effects to get the positive ones. I have an appointment coming up with my doctor, so I’m definitely going to talk to him about making some changes. But I would love to know if you have any recommendations.
Thank you so much! I’m so happy I came across your article. And I can’t wait to read your book!
Julie
HI Julie — good for you, for questioning!!
Read the three medication chapters in my book. Photo copy them. Bring a copy to your prescriber. Or get a new prescribe. (But honestly, it seems that 80% are this ignorant.)
The general idea is to try one (or more) choice in each class (methylphenidate and amphetamine).
To note treatment goals (what are the improvements you’re seeking) and keep a log….does this dose/rx make things better or worse.
good luck!
g
Ohhh man. Thank you Gina for this. I apologize…. what I wrote to comment is soooo long… I read the NYT article… I was shaking feeling disturbed. still feeling so emotional reading this.
I am a social worker, I’m in my mid 20s and I’m prescribed Adderall IR 15mg 2x daily. Okay a little (lot) of background.. I also have sleep apnea even though I’m in decent shape (my father has it, severely) and I am non-compliant with my CPAP (claustrophobic & take it off in my sleep, also just hate wearing it in general).
I’m now seeing a sleep expert for second opinion as I have sleep attacks and am dx hypersomnia. She thinks I have narcolepsy possibly so I’m doing a sleep study soon… this condition sucks. Very difficult I have a couple of jobs and my own company small time so got a lot going on and I need to get up 4:45am every day to get to my full time job (which I actually love). I hate the excessive sleeping.
Also have hypothyroidism since 14 (mom has it), PCOS (supposedly…endo APN disagrees with gyno?), “deteriorating” discs (2) and mild scoliosis so I struggle with chronic pain. I know I probably sound like a hypochondriac but I really do have a lot of medical issues and real pain. I went through a lot of trauma in my childhood but still managed to succeed well in high school and undergrad, even grad school, only I really white knuckled my mental health.
I have episodes of depression (especially in winter.. so half the year here), got therapy since early teens on and off. Was on Lexapro which stopped working, I think I became a bit manic and actually I ended up getting rx that again by a careless psychiatrist. He also would ask me what I wanted to be prescribed later when I developed VERY severe anxiety which led to SI. Thankfully my therapist at the time saved my life and intervened, since then life got a lot better without that type of obsessive anxiety. Only with the sleep issue worsening, I had periods of derealization basically because of completely untreated sleep apnea (and possibly narcolepsy) I was seeing a new psychiatrist (nurse one) who was like putting me on all these different meds for depression. Even Vrylar at some point which is an anti-psychotic was experimented with! That one made me not be able to control my limbs (side effects) normally and she took me off it.
Honestly I don’t even remember what she had me on back then at first but I remember it was Vyvanse. Prompted by a brief assessment when i said I was having difficulty with work, my mood, my depression… I don’t think I was as focused on Attention issues then tbh because I was going through a dark time, being at that job during the height of COVID… so…
Back in college my boyfriend had loads of ADHD meds because he had been diagnosed with it (he believed mistakenly… but was dependent on these drugs 20+ years) and I would take Vyvanse or Adderall every once in a while (he limited that out of these very concerns for addiction) and it helped me SO much.
A lot of what i was complaining about to the psych nurse was sleep, sadness, stress and fatigue. So when the psych learned I was having these issues staying awake while driving, staying awake at work (different job back then that was awful too), couldn’t manage tasks because of excessive sleepiness… she put me on Vyvanse. It worked great but then after a bit it only lasted a few hours. And it felt much more mild than Adderall. Only I wasn’t able to stay awake after a bit again. Which I told my psych. She took off the Vyvanse, put me on Adderall 15mg XR which also worked great, it did give me anxiety though. It felt worth staying awake for work.
By then I had the CPAP and was struggling through the “adjustment period” (this is 1 year ago now and I don’t believe there is any adjustment period for me) but ya know I was dx with ADHD. As a therapist myself I kinda wasn’t sure of the dx being done by a simple checklist. I clinically disagree with the simplicity of that and having read quite a bit about ADHD now since dx i stand by that too. The 15mg XR didn’t work after a bit either and then it was 20mg XR. (Okay as I wrote this I just remembered she switched me from some amount of Vyvanse to 20mg XR initially! That seems like a lot!!!
Then I had awful anxiety and she took me down to the 15, as I wrote). That helped and then I lost the job I had (funding was given to another organization) so I didn’t take the Adderall. Honestly I never really wanted to take it if I didn’t need it because it would make me too heightened at times if I didn’t have a lot to do (like a normal weekend day without work) and my psych has said that’s fine to not take it on weekends. Later I start my current job which I love, as I said – only I need to be up early. And I have difficulty sleeping (a night owl forever + anxiety + chronic pain tends to worsen at night) so I am not one to achieve those 8 hours I know i really need.
I’ll get like 5 hours of sleep which Can feel kinda good enough with CPAP – but, I noticed even with using it a decent amount at times I still can’t resist my eyes closing during the day so I need to sleep for a few mins, during which I slip into REM instantly (I set nap alarms for like 3-5 mins sometimes…). That’s why I’m thinking maybe something else really is wrong with my sleep. I also sleep a lot on the weekends to try to catch up… so I did end up taking the rest of the Adderall XR only it took a couple of months because I think I didn’t finish a script and filled one… part of a HUGE problem is that (at least with my insurance) you need to pick it up when it’s filled at the pharmacy within a certain number of days.
I know because when I didn’t (since I didn’t finish my bottle in a month) the insurance won’t cover the script the way it’s written past a certain number of days. I don’t know how long but it was a pain to get it resolved when I ended up needing the med (ya definitely notice life without it… especially with major sleep issues) so now I always pick up the scripts and I really haven’t abused it. I take it the way it’s prescribed and I’ve never been prescribed a crazy high amount nor do I want to. I actually do just want to stay awake and focused and experience my life without feeling I can’t focus because of how tired I am.
I do think I have ADHD to an extent but maybe without the sleep stuff I could be on a more mild Med? Omg I’ll try to wrap this part up.. the 20mg didn’t work and it was also making me smoke more (cigs and vaping unfortunately… and medical marijuana… once per day usually) and the anxiety was kinda dulled by my fatigue.
I got super busy too and I really depended on the energy from Adderall to get by. But the anxiety persisted and I did tell my psychiatrist, because when the XR didn’t work as well, she had me do 15mg IR with 10mg IR as needed. I felt anxious from this and also too exhausted + busy to function without it. My focus got bad and she added Wellbutrin 150mg XR, only she took away the XR Adderall (the smoking addition was becoming brutal… non stop vaping at times) she said Wellbutrin would help me quit smoking. And lost weight. And “some people just need the IR instead” my irritability worsened 3 weeks in to taking the Well. + Adderall 15mg IR 2x daily.
I mean like wanting to rage type anger, not violent but severe irritability. It sucks to be around people like this and I’m super aware of it. I’m a deeply sensitive person and I actually really love people and love being a therapist. But i noticed I don’t want to be around people. Even after taking some of my time off. Even after having time to “introvert.” It isn’t like me. Also started being paranoid and having more panic attacks. The worst? Crying!!! At everything, oh my god. And my long term boyfriend who I live with said so too… he can’t predict my reactions. I made a psych appointment last week. So my psych just changed my meds to Adderall 20mg XR, Wellbutrin IR 100mg 2x daily, buspar (not sure dose, I took this before). She said “some people can’t tolerate the IR well” honestly I thought the problem was the Wellbutrin. I felt amazing the first few weeks initially on IR and Wellbutrin then it shifted from energy and productivity to irritability. But she changed both these meds anyway.
As a side note I do believe I have an attention issue I could kinda just coast with my whole life. I didn’t pay attention in college and always fell asleep in class even since high school, but it was lots of little sleep attack type moments I could bounce back from. I graduated with honors I mean I did well in grad school the same but that was mostly writing papers – which I always thrived at. Sitting in class for longer lectures than ever, I was glued to my laptop googling stuff or reading on the Internet (this was no meds me) and I just knew how to coast pretty well to get by, but I wasn’t learning so much, not really. I had my attention divided by part time internship, a full time job in a restaurant, full time grad school, and a decent home/social/relationship life.
I regret a lot of time I didn’t pay attention more in class but I also feel it can be hard for me to and I am surprised I genuinely identify with many of the criteria on the checklists…. so I guess sure. It’s a diagnosis. But it’s a diagnosis getting these strong meds thrown at it because I can’t stay awake more than I can’t pay attention. That’s the truth, I think. And that doesn’t make my problems or what I have any less valid but reading your article made me reconsider how much I’ve praised Adderall for how it gets me going in life – maybe I really was raging because of that and not Wellbutrin.
I don’t know. I’m scared of life without these meds because I think I do depend on them. I really do take them as I am supposed to and my dosages are not high.. that’s what I thought before about the dosage amount, anyway. I’m straight up with side effects I even mentioned gastro stuff and panic attacks at my last appointment. I had panic attacks and anxiety before any of these meds too though. It feels good to not be depressed when I take the meds for a bit but they do wear off and I can even still fall asleep when I take them sometimes !! Also totally crushed my appetite – went to donate blood and got denied because of my iron. I was shocked because I felt I was eating ok enough the last couple days before my appt. I think this Med is causing me problems and now I’m more anxious to get my sleep study (in October) to get to the bottom of this. I told the psychiatrist this info.. she pushes me to keep trying with the CPAP. People don’t understand how hard that is when you have anxiety about it on your face all night. I really do try. I’m just really lost and now I do think I’m more afraid of this drug I’m just not quite sure what to do about it.
As a side note, I did quit vaping completely which I’m really proud of. I still smoke a cigarette daily which I’m really trying to stop. I usually do it when I can’t stay awake. And i just want to stop. So I hope being back on XR doesn’t make me have terrible cravings. I’m working on making myself eat. I think malnutrition is playing into these feelings too. I feel too young to be struggling this much. I feel like adderall was kinda rx because I have depression that wasn’t responding to SSRIs well. But she didn’t go to Wellbutrin then or anything else even.
I’ve only ever been on a series of SSRI, 1 anti psychotic briefly (prob pharma sponsored BS) and then amphetamines. But if i do have narcolepsy, this is the treatment… only in other forms. Idk what any of this means. I wish I had a Dr good enough to figure it out. I’m not spiraling completely out of control but I am struggling, mostly quietly because I don’t want others to see. I isolate for COVID reasons and fear rn but also because I don’t wanna be around others. I haven’t started my new meds yet. So I guess we’ll see. Thank you for writing this I will need to explore the website more and im sorry for the long message – rambly especially after meds are long gone.
Hi Casper,
I really hate that what sounds like your ADHD has been so cavalierly treated.
A diagnostic evaluation depends on more than a checklist. The DSM-5 criteria includes 18 symptoms, but it also includes signs of impairment in at least two areas of life.
Taking a full history is important, too.
But, sometimes, ADHD is so clearcut — if one also offers anything from childhood and developmental years — an experienced clinician often knows how to recognize it.
Look at how “depression” and “anxiety” is typically diagnosed ….by what it looks like. That means that ADHD is overwhelming misdiagnosed as depression and anxiety. As, it seems, you were, and given the wrong medication for ADHD — medication that can even intensify ADHD symptoms.
It does seem that you’ve been using Adderall as a performance drug – not that this was your intention. But it seems you are using it as many do — to propel yourself through your day, no matter if it’s too busy or too disorganized a day.
Treating ADHD means you can better develop systems to organize your time and priorities — and your sleep.
Sleep disorders are associated with ADHD. And what you describe is not uncommon. I doubt the wisdom of calling it narcolepsy when you cannot stay awake after getting only 5 hours of sleep, consistently. And especially during “boring” activities. That can be ADHD. Full Stop.
You’ve never tried a methylphenidate stimulant? (Concerta, Ritalin, etc.) You should have been given a trial. Trouble is, now that you’ve gotten accustomed to Adderall being your personal booster rocket. And this is why I would like to personally kick the a** of every clueless doc who does this to vulnerable people. There seem to be millions of them, unfortunately. Hacks.
To be frank, if an MD prescribed for me Adderall and Wellbutrin, I’d say “thanks but no thanks” and head to plan B. Adding Buspar to a bad combination of medications is not a strategy. It’s a Hail Mary Pass.
I encourage you to read my first book’s chapters on medication. Start from the beginning, but this time double-down on organizing your priorities and time, more realistically.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0981548709/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_NJNDC54WGKM1247NYVHP
Take care of yourself! Maybe ask your bf if you two can sit down together and hatch a new plan for treating your ADHD and taking better control of your sleep.
g
I experienced INTENSE rage taking IR Adderall & Lexapro. I was on the max dose of Lexapro & didn’t realize the effect it was having until I switched from Lexapro to Zoloft. I also had a TON of sleep issues when I was on the Lexapro especially at the end. At least for me that switch from Lexapro to Zoloft with the same IR adderall at the same dose, that rage was SO much better within only a few weeks and basically gone within 3 months of being on Zoloft. And I started sleeping WAY better at night which helped me not feel so beyond exhausted during the day even taking the adderall. I thought it was more the ADHD meds being the issue and hadn’t seen anyone talk about Lexapro rage when taking it with Adderall, so wanted to come comment because I’ve since learned this seems to be something others have experienced but isn’t talked about enough. ALSO in my own experience & what little I’ve seen from others with the same experience, the rage doesn’t happen right away and initially the Lexapro and Adderall work great together & you feel ok, but after an extended period of time on Lexapro and increasing dosage, it seems to eventually stop working and this rage happens. I’ve actually seen people who do NOT take ANY ADHD medication also have the same experience with Lexapro rage after being on it for a while. I think having ADHD & stimulant medication probably intensifies whatever the issue is, but it seems to be a bigger issue for a lot of people in general who take it long term.
I wish they would look into the Lexapro rage more, but maybe you can try to talk to your psychiatrist about switching to a different SSRI anti depressant other than Lexapro and see if that could help with the rage, insomnia and exhaustion. I took Zoloft in the past and it didn’t work that well for me, but switching from Lexapro to Zoloft seemed to be a really good switch and it has worked really well this time. I’ve been on 100mg of Zoloft for over 2 years with no issues and been stable with feeling like all my meds are working correctly. I’m SO glad I switched. I haven’t experienced ANYTHING like that rage in my entire life, and haven’t experienced it since. Hope you can find something that works for you!
Hi Kay,
Thanks for sharing your story. I bet it will be helpful for other folks.
Those SSRIs…..quite a few of them, and they all work in similar ways…but with a few small differences.
Actually, there is a major drug interaction between Adderall and Zoloft, too, along with Adderall-Lexapro.
One risk is Seratonin Syndrome:
which may include symptoms such as confusion, hallucination, seizure, extreme changes in blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, excessive sweating, shivering or shaking, blurred vision, muscle spasm or stiffness, tremor, incoordination, stomach cramp, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may result in coma and even death.
So much depends on one’s particular genetics. Also, generics present a big variable.
From my perspective, I would want to be sure no other stimulant worked better than Adderall before settling upon it, with or without an SSRI.
I don’t know the details about Lexapro and rage. But I do know how many people with ADHD are misdiagnosed with anxiety and depression—and “treated” with SSRIs. These risk back-suppressing dopamine in parts of the brain, thereby intensifying ADHD symptoms (that are not first stabilized).
All in all, I find that too many prescribers “throw spaghetti at the wall.” And when a side effect pops up…..too many just add another medication to treat the side effect.
I’m glad you found something that works for you! That’s so big.
g
You are not alone check out all these I found upon researching
http://forum.quittingadderall.com/forums/topic/4305-my-story-living-with-my-adderall-addicted-wife/page/2/#comment-43511
Thanks
Thank you for this article. I’m so glad I found it. My husband was prescribed Adderall 3 years ago at the age of 47. He loves how it makes him feel. It has destroyed a good marriage in these 3 years. He has turned into a total narcissist, porn addict, lost 2 jobs in 3 years, no longer works and is a completely different person than the man I was married to for 17 years before this. We are now getting divorced. Myself and his family have tried everything to get him to stop. He refuses and thinks we are all crazy. I wish more people would realize the problems this drug can cause. Thank you.
Dear Jennifer,
I am so sorry. It’s a horrible thing, what’s happening.
I should not be the only one to have called this out for 20 years.
The fact that the manufacturer of Adderall misrepresented this potential — aided and abetted by psychiatrists and psychologists in its employ — just makes me sick.
That this company still “owns” much of what it written and said on the Internet? Deplorable.
It’s me against some very powerful forces.
take care
g
Jennifer, please encourage him to read this blog, get help!
I had no idea destruction was happening, I was on the drug 9 years.
It is the hell Gina describes and the most insidious effect is you have no idea anything is wrong.
In November 2019 I landed in an outpatient program, life falling apart, family in ruin, unable to get a job, believed I was very depressed. Walked into the hospital, they told me I did not have adhd and asked if I understood what Adderall was doing and within 4 days they forcefully and safely removed me from the drug.
It was as if I just came back to life. I had anger issues, experienced mania, paranoia, delusional thoughts, physical pains in my stomach, didn’t sleep, was drinking to get to sleep, always sweating, had tremors and would incessantly grab my clothes.
It all ended once the drug was removed from my life. That moment not only saved my life it brought the truth. I then was encouraged much like an alcoholic to go through 12 step recovery.
In researching the drug, I came across this site and Gina is 100% accurate in the effects Adderall has in destroying lives if you don’t need the drug.
Please have your husband read this….until December 2019 no one could tell me I was wrong, my wife had no idea it was the drug, no one did. The high each morning followed by the nightly crash was killing me after years of taking 30 mg xr every single day.
Please, please, please encourage him to talk with an outpatient program, they will help him and perhaps your marriage. I’ll pray for you, your husband and your family.
Hi Al,
Thanks for underscoring the importance of using Adderall only with these cautions in mind.
Yes, it can definitely destroy lives “if you don’t need the drug.” But it can also wreak havoc for people with ADHD who would benefit from a correctly prescribed and monitored stimulant.
best
g
I love how there isn’t a single study cited anywhere in this, just anecdotes
Hi Nah,
Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the role that fundamental science plays here.
Adderall’s chemical structure stands out among all the stimulants.
If prescribers knew this, they might be more cautious, in trying “simpler” stimulants first.
The “science” that prescribers base their love of Adderall on comes from….wait….not science.
It comes from a company well known for aggressive marketing. A company that was fined $54M for fraudulent claims about Adderall and another drug several years ago.
Prescribers who prescribe based on what a pharma rep tells them are acting recklessly.
Prescribers who think they can learn all they know about Adderall from a double-blind, controlled study betray themselves as mere proceduralists, not scientists.
There are no such head-to-head studies.
That’s why we go by fundamental science and the preponderance of anecdotes. Notice that none of the other stimulants shares this phenomenon.
Cheers,
g
I am so deeply grateful for this article, I may or may not be sobbing with relief 🙂 It’s as if all of us googling-to-death “what is wrong with me?!” generated a current that helped strike this into our search results. And it’s illuminating in so many ways…it’s the hug (and light) we needed.
Exacerbated anxiety, irritability, anger, and grandiosity? Check. And in my case, I add the triggering of: disordered eating (childhood maternal neglect); post traumatic stress (grotesque childhood paternal abuse, maladapted sibling dynamic); obsessive compulsiveness (Madderall “focus” for me = fixating, which – if you have subpar executive functioning as it is – obliterates all the previously-healthy areas of your life); paranoia (a product of my fixating + anxiety in my opinion, as I’ve dealt with far worse things in life before now but can’t seem to access my emotional intelligence); and lastly/gravely, the utterly crushing depression (which I know is evident, but when the VA diagnosed me with Major Depressive Disorder, somehow I was offended by it). That’s because I’ve worked really hard (since I was a kid!), to avoid the common maladaptive behaviors that many women with similar upbringings can develop. I was lucky to be fascinated with psychology/neuroscience/ observing human behavior from a young age – something I consider my own saving grace. So it’s bothered me to my core that my critical thinking gets completely hijacked now, after making it all this way.
When you said step 2 is often developing a cannabis habit to come down, I felt some of this shame leave me and a little part of my sanity return. And it’s not sheer use of it that I’m ashamed of, it’s relying on it when I know (deep deep down) that the real me doesn’t need it AT. ALL., so it’s another reminder of how I’ve lost some self-control, that innate inner strength I once had, my autonomy. Speaking of guilt, beware of grandiosity, folks…it is SO embarrassing in hindsight and there’s often no repair. Of course anger and rage are in that same boat; the difference is when you humbly return after an arrogant outburst your peers and loved ones will likely still tolerate you, whereas being full of rage ensures you’ll be left out at sea. Meaningful relationships and well-deserved opportunities get replaced with these reflections of yourself, made up of poor decisions and behavior.
Imagine feeling all of that inside and trying to nail a job interview. Deep insecurity follows, amplified by an inability to secure gainful employment. And you can multiply that if you’re the type to ruminate about how your new behavior messes fit the very social stereotypes fueling the obstacles that you had a hard time conquering when you were 100%! Something like..being a woman in the workforce, where your chemically-induced psychosis (“drama”) will make others more uncomfortable than concerned. A special kind of trauma. Anger isn’t even allowed but if it happens and you’re also a minority, the best outcome is losing your job and the worst outcome is always when people react with fear rather than concern. Having experienced each of these personally I can tell you it doesn’t make things like negotiating salary any easier, if you haven’t already burned that bridge unknowingly.
Until this article, I wasn’t able to articulate the magical ease I seemed to have just winging it-but-passing K-12 grade school, much to my teachers and coaches’ frustration, bewilderment, and sometimes suspicion. I’d tell myself that when it’s a subject I’m interested in, I’ll be able to dial in and really see what I’m capable of! Enter early-30’s me: already a non-traditional student, returning to finish my bachelors after serving in the military. To my dismay, I wasn’t interested or sharp – not even sharp enough to wing it. Add another reflection of guilt. I was now a veteran and below-average adult student. I still had my younger sister and mom as my “dependents” as they were living with me and under my care (continuing from active duty). Working part-time, schooling full-time, while raising sis and caring for mom during her final days (end-stage cancer). To be sure I didn’t lose my mind (which happened anyway), I sought out therapy and found the VA. I’m grateful to have the resources I do as a veteran, but I regret not being vigilant or careful enough about the medicated treatments… since it was a tough time for me then, I try not to be so hard on myself about that part. Just know that even if you’re used to trusting your instinct with your life, outside of logic or reality sometimes but usually successfully, that part of you typically isn’t around when you’re in a sustained crisis mode. Your fight-or-flight response (or other haywiredness) has been standing around taking over all your capacities for way too long with nothing it could identify to fight or flee from. You’re going to WANT to just fall into the arms of some emergency treatment plan, even one created by an overwhelmed medical team that doesn’t know much about you. However I’d say that’s probably best for you at that point, I know it was for me.
So my point and my advice is that #1) **YOU MUST BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS NOW/FIRST, before you ever accept any trial-and-error regiment.** Do whatever you need to do to alert yourself and have it set up before you ever try anything. And know that the first time you google your new behavioral/physical changes and symptoms, that it has already started and there’s still time to take a step all the way back.
#2) And lastly, G E T T H E R A P Y… f#! stigmas. The stigma is just like high school peer pressure. You continue down a path that you know is not you, or not good for you, because of the judgment of others who have nothing to do with you/r wellbeing at the end of the day.
I have to mention that my very first VA doctor, Dr. Jessica Nord, will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart. She actually ended up dumping me (lol-but-not-really) after almost a year, it was the end of her..residency? and she was scheduled to cycle out and a new doctor in. (That was the story and I’ll stick to it 😉 But I don’t blame her if she dumped me, because I was having the crisis of crises during that time. Even so, she did a *phenomenal* job helping me. I learned SO much from her in a small amount of time. Every tool she taught me I grasped onto for dear life, and to this day they’ve never failed me. In one of the most crucial moments of my life she guided me in a decision that – in hindsight – was so simple! It’s because of her guidance that I was able to spend my mom’s final few months of life with her, which is an experience I’ll always cherish. It is moments like those and writings like this that end up being your resource. Thank you, Gina.
Dear Sarah,
I wish I could give you an actual hug.
I find your story both validating of what I’ve been warning about for 20 years—and infuriating that prescribers are still abusing their patients in this way.
Seriously. Suddenly their patients have a clue as to the obstacles ADHD has been creating in their lives. They seek “professional” treatment. And they get this flagrant malpractice.
Grr.
Your strength and intelligence and very deliberate approach to dealing with your life saved you here. (That and my blog post. haha) I hope those qualities continue to carry you upward and onward.
Thank you for detailing your experience so that it might help others.
g
Hello Gina,
I came across this blog/ article while I was researching if anyone else gets less agitated on Adderral. I am 48 and have been taking some form of SSRIs for more then 20 years. I am currently on Wellbutrin 200mg BID and can’t really take anymore. I have recently been prescribed Adderral because I think maybe I’ve been misdiagnosed all these years. My daughter and nieces have all been diagnosed with ADHD. I have never been hyperactive and in school I had no problems with focusing until now. One of my major symptoms is irritability and anger, Adderral allows me to think before I react and I’m consequently much nicer to be around. Unfortunately I have severe stomach pains and get shaky and nervous when I first take it. That eventually subsides except for the nausea and epigastric pain. My question is if I don’t have ADD why do I feel calmer but only AFTER the initial nervousness and shakyness. I hate feeling unwell but all day but like how my anger subsided. BTW I’ve just started taking it.
Thanks
I. K.
Hi Irma,
In general, people with ADHD feel “calmer” on a stimulant because the stimulant helps to “organize their brain.” With more organization and focus, there tends to be less cognitive anxiety (common with ADHD).
Maybe you don’t have ADHD. But ADHD is a dimensional issue. You don’t need to qualify for the official diagnosis to still struggle with some related aspects.
A few points: You’ve been taking SSRIs for 20 years. That might have had an effect on your brain, pushing more into the ADHD end of things.
Also, you are 48. That’s nearing menopause age for many women. With the reduction in hormones, especially Estrogen, there can be a reduction in brain functioning.
The physician should give you a trial of other non-amphetamine stimulants. They might work better for you, without the nausea and epigastric pain.
(You’re probably taking a generic, which has its own variability.)
What’s barely tolerable now might be absolutely intolerable in time — and might create some permanent effects.
I hope this helps.
g
Hey, I’m 16 and in high school at the moment.
I sometimes feel like I don’t have ADHD. Perhaps I’m in denial. I am on a low dose of Adderall XR (5mg), Intuniv (2mg)…both for the morning. And in the afternoon Adderall IR (2.5mg) which I typically take for work.
I do feel the medication really working but I read in another blog post of yours about the overdose effect of feeling like a dull robot. That is something I feel, its harder to have social interactions with people and sometimes my focus goes into the wrong things. Like, I’m in class right now writing this. I’ve found I’ve also been losing interest in hobbies and certain friendships. I haven’t been inspired to do much but work at my job.
I miss my personality and the fun I’ve had with my hobbies.
Maybe I don’t have ADHD and that’s why these medications aren’t working correctly for me?
But thats not right. I definitely do have it. I was diagnosed when I waa little and I notice without my medication my body feels weaker and I forget things easily, am more impulsive and less calm, I get annoyed easily, irritable, etc. My meds get rid of all this but what if my meds are causing these things due to withdrawel instead?
I’ve never met myself unmedicated. I’ve always been on medications when I was little till now. When I was little I was on Xanax, risperdone, and adderall xr. I’m not on xanax or risperdone anymore though.
I was abused when I was little as well. Whats the chances of me having ADHD or just being misdiagnosed and having symptoms that look like it because of withdrawel since I used to take meds inconsistently? I take them consistently now but i feel uncomfortable.
Dear Eric,
You ask excellent questions. It’s regrettable that you seem to lack anything approaching professional guidance.
I wish this were a rare exception. Unfortunately, it’s the rule. And I see it play out every darn day.
You say you’ve tried these medications — are these the only ones?
1. Xanax (awful for a child, in particular, and addictive, should be prescribed only for episodic use…a crisis, not ongoing anxiety or insomnia)
2. Risperdone – I really don’t understand the popularity of this Rx with children. It’s an anti-psychotic. It seems to be used as a “blunt force instrument” to knock back anxiety. That’s not going to help if the anxiety comes from ADHD symptoms.
3. Adderall XR
You’ve never been given a different stimulant?
There are two classes of stimulant: amphetamine (Adderall, Vyvanse, etc.) and methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, Focalin, etc.)
You should have been given a trial of each class — because one might be clearly better for you than the other. And even a couple of choices, as the delivery system also makes a difference even with the same molecules (e.g. methylphenidate).
Did that happen? If not, it should happen. The Adderall might be causing you to have “tunnel vision”. So, yes, you might have better focus, but it is narrow and inflexible.
I encourage you to speak to your prescriber ASAP. If you can’t find a better prescriber, you’ll have to guide this on your own, diplomatically.
You could say you’ve learned that Adderall can have the effect you’ve been feeling (losing interest in hobbies, friendships, having less fun, etc.). This all sounds like “over-focus” to me, and if your prescriber has any clue at all, it should to him or her, too.
Ask for a trial of a methylphenidate. There are a few choices. The short-acting Ritalin might be a first choice, because it’s….short-acting.
If you can get a copy of my book, read the medication chapters. Read and understand that, and you’ll know more than the majority of prescribers. No kidding.
Maybe your library has it, or you can swing the $10 for the Kindle version. If I could, I’d just hand a copy to you. 🙂
https://amzn.to/3wHyWJN
Please let me know how it goes. Check back in. This is important, and you deserve so much better. Someone as insightful as you.
g
Thank you so much for the reply!
I’ve never been on any other class of stimulants unfortunately. I’ve read from a post of yours that Adderall should be considered last before any other stimulant. Would you say Adderall is the “”harshest”” out of all the stims?
I will definitely snag your book ASAP because my provider is kind of useless. They tried prescribing me Abilify and called it an “antidepressant” a few months ago. Thankfully I dodged the bullet and trusted myself not to take it.
I was curious if you’ve ever heard of a medication called “Desoxyn” it has good reviews and people claim they don’t feel like they took any medication while on it but they still gets the helpful effects of any other stim (not that I plan on getting this since I have many other options to try first before this)
Good for you, Eric. Questioning Abilify. It is sometimes helpful for some people with ADHD at a LOW dose. But typically only after a traditional route is tried.
People who want anything close to evidence-based medication treatment for ADHD typically must be extremely pro-active.
Many get nervous when I warn about this. “You mean I can’t trust my doctor????”
Well, “trust but verify.”
It’s just too important. Your LIFE. And there are just too many pharmaceutical cowboys out there, disconnected from consequence.
PLEASE be equally cautious with the online “forums”, Reddits, etc.
Desoxyn is pharmaceutical methamphetamine. Yes, meth. You read that right. Not street meth. But still perhaps an Elephant Gun when you require only a pea-shooter.
There is no way you should go from Adderall XR to Desoxyn. So, as you say, yes, you have many other options to try.
If you haven’t tried a methylphenidate, start there. And maybe a few of them, if you can. So much depends on the delivery system. And if you are stuck with generic, that adds another set of variables.
Note one of my other most popular posts, on the critical differences between Concerta and it’s generics.
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-medications/authorized-generic-concerta-update-6-1-19/
If you don’t live in CA or MA, you might be able to get a big discount on the brand.
https://concerta.net/
g
I really appreciate having an article that isn’t either anti stimulants or stimulants only as a last resort that is tackling Adderall as potentially problematic. The anger thing really hit a note. I am a woman in my thirties, I have been taking Adderall (my first stimulant) with good results for three years now, it is so hard to get this medication, my current doctor and state are very suspicious of stimulants, I have been having good results, and stimulants are so necessary for me normally but working remotely makes them essential, so I am terrified of fucking this up by trying something else, so I want to approach this as best as possible and I appreciate any advice/perspective you or your readers with ADHD especially have to offer.
Is it possible that I am having this anger side effect even though I am not doing anything obvious or different in my behaviors? Could the Adderall be causing things like incredible tension that lead to headaches, neck pain and stomach issues etc? Cause like the anger feels normal in response to things that should make me angry, and I don’t do anything, like I don’t snap at people or yell or anything else I can think of. But I am just very very tense all the time, despite how much work I do to destress and center myself.
If the Adderall has mostly worked really well for me with no obvious side effects (other than dry mouth and this potential tension stuff) does that mean the other class of drugs wouldn’t work for me? Should I go straight to Vyvanse? Have people had good experiences with switching over?
Hi Chris,
You are asking important questions. Questions your prescriber should be asking but….well….I mostly gave up on that a decade ago. It’s just not going to happen in the majority of cases.
Here’s the thing: Adderall is your first stimulant. You say you are getting “good results”, which is great. But you have nothing to compare it to, right?
Yes, absolutely, Adderall could be causing all those issues you mention. All things being equal.
I encourage you to read my medication chapters…if you got to the end of this post, you’ll see an excerpt.
https://amzn.to/2OJs0eM
(I’ll soon be launching online training that covers all treatment issues, of all types, so be sure to subscribe to my blog to be notified.)
There is a basic, methodical approach….but apparently it’s a state secret for most prescribers.
You can take steps to minimize the risk. For example, don’t wait until you run out of your daily Adderall medication to try something else.
Instead, ask for another stimulant. Maybe a 5-day supply or even a 30.
This depends on your insurance policy pharmacy benefit. But it’s typically understood that the patient will not hit gold with the first stimulant, at the first dose.
Some experimentation must take place.
You mention your current doctor is very suspicious of stimulants (yeah, that makes perfect sense…be suspicious but not CAREFUL…. [roll eyes]), so if you mention “It’s making me angry,” that might be the end of it.
You could offer other legitimate reasons for trying alternatives….such as you understand that Vyvanse (also in the AMP category) might have a more consistent delivery, less up and down through the day.
It might be worth trying the other class, methylphenidate. But if you think you generally respond well to Adderall (minus all the tension, which is not an insignificant side effect), Vyvanse might be the logical alternative.
You just won’t know until you try.
I hope this helps. good luck!
g
Thank you so much Gina! And I totally will check your book out. That is a great reason to give my prescriber and I didn’t consider the fact that we could just get 5 pills or something similar to try out. I also appreciate the reminder that it is normal to have to try different meds and that doesn’t automatically mean I am just looking for a high (which lets be honest is a literal cry for help and not a horrible thing if I was). And thank you so much for validating my tension as not a small thing.
And yeah, most prescribers are not great…. He told me that I could keep taking Aleeve for pain I was having (related to the tension) with no issues. I specifically asked him ‘can’t this cause digestive issues at least? I am already experiencing that.’ And he said sure, but just take some miralax, it will be fine. It wasn’t fine, and luckily I am no longer taking Aleeve either and my stomach has mostly recovered. So, I will get another prescriber if I can ever find a good one out here. The good news is most of my medical providers are good, they just can’t prescribe anything.
Good thing you have your wits about you, Chris!
The very idea….taking Aleeve for pain that could well be a side effect from a poorly prescribed…as a long-term solution.
Good grief!
When people talk about health-care reform, I talk about physician reform! 🙂
good luck!
g
People with actual adhd respond to adderall by being calmed. The ones who become angry don’t have adhd, they have been misdiagnosed and probably have a type of bipolar or some other illness that imitates adhd. Calling the drug madderall creates worse untrue stigma just because the wrong people are on it.
Thank you for your comment, Anne.
But it is misguided information such as what you state here that gets people into real trouble.
Whether you are a prescriber or another type of Dr. (a chiopractor, it seems), I encourage you to please try to learn something critically important.
Gina
I was diagnosed with adhd when I was 11 and got prescribed adderall basically immediately after. I hated it as a kid because I just felt boring, sad, and sick all the time. I stopped taking it soon after so from that point onward, I had terrible grades and always felt stupid in school. I’m nearly 19 now, graduated, and I started taking it again illegally to fuel a preexisting eating disorder about 2 months ago without anyone knowing. Right now, I’m regretting everything but the only thing holding me back is the lack of appetite. I had multiple preexisting mental disorders aside adhd as well before this, so the mixture of malnutrition, sleep deprivation, severe OCD, and other meds I take for a physical condition is not pleasant to put it lightly. The second I started self medicating I’ve had the worst bruxism (which got so bad at one point I couldn’t speak), irritability, and anxiety. Since I’m so hyper-focused on everything, it often leads to focusing on intrusive thoughts or hallucinations. Just the other day I felt like I was going through psychosis. Saw spiders everywhere I looked, felt like bugs were all over me, thought things were moving when they weren’t, felt like people were watching me/stalking me, and I felt like I was trapped. It got so bad I had to call a friend to come check if what I was seeing was real. Yesterday was my first day off adderall and I felt much more in the real world than I did. I took it today since I’ve unfortunately grown dependent but I know I need to stop. I’m planning on getting serious treatment for everything, and I know it’s not going to be easy. I will never understand how people can find this drug fun or useful. It’s devastating.
The comments are very validating though and I’m glad to see someone talk about the issues with prescribing amphetamines as if it’s the only solution after getting diagnosed.
Dear Nate,
What happened to you shouldn’t happen to anyone. I”m so sorry that some reckless prescriber would do that to an 11-year-old.
Whatever dependency you feel you might have, it’s not your fault. But you know that.
It might be that just a small change….switching to Vyvanse perhaps…gives you a bit of relief. Though I’d recommend “start low, increase slow”.
And just 15 minutes more sleep each night…
You’re only 19 and you have plenty of time to get yourself on track, physically and mentally. I don’t mean procrastinate, though. 🙂
A big motivation in writing my first book, started in 2000 and published in 2008, was educating consumers so they would not be vulnerable to the reckless prescribers.
Overall, the prescribers have learned nothing. Most of them are in complete denial of the points I make — and readers make — in this post/comments. It’s made me extremely leery of psychiatric prescribers. I don’t “trust” until I “verify.”
take care of yourself,
g
My sister recently visited her daughter out of town. For no apparent reason my niece physically attacked my sister, then threw her out of her apartment. My niece is taking Adderall (we don’t know for how long), she will take little bites the tablets all day long. She is bouncing off the walls and hardly weights 100lbs. Can this medicine make her become so aggressive? I also heard she had attacked one of her sisters and threw her out. She is an adult (just turned 30) and lives more than half way across the US.
Hi Kendall,
Theoretically, that behavior absolutely could be from the Adderall.
Actually, I cannot say. Your sister might have other issues — sleep deprivation, alcohol use, co-existing psychiatric conditions (bipolar, schizophrenia, the list goes on), etc.
Curses on the prescriber — if she’s getting the Adderall legally — for absolutely failing to monitor and being so reckless with such a potentially dangerous drug.
g
Hi Gina. I’m in my early 30s and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. It’s been a wild ride of emotions throughout this journey of realizing what I’ve been dealing with since childhood isn’t normal and it has a name. I was tossed a script for Adderall and at first loved it but now 2 months in, I’m getting horrible mood swings when coming off in the evening. Seriously almost don’t recognize who I am when that happens. I’m hateful and short tempered. I can’t tell you what this article has meant to me. Thank you so much for shedding light on all of this. I feel seen and thankful that I have other options. You are truly appreciated!!
Dear Elizabeth,
I am so grateful for your note — and that you found this post.
All weekend, I worked putting the finishing touches on the text for my online training course 2, on medication. More than you ever wanted to know! But all necessary!
Stay tuned!
I hope you can work with your prescriber on better options. good luck!
g
I had a ‘vague’ diagnosis of ADHD in college (a comment by a doctor at Planned Parenthood). To be very blunt, I do meet the criteria by both mine and my husband’s evaluation.
I have gone through a very badly done thyroidectomy and getting proper treatment (T3 thyroid hormone, slightly above replacement levels), alcoholism, and about 3 different (via criteria) eating disorders. (Proud to contribute my genetics to the EDGG to help others in the future).
I newly acquired true Binge Eating in absence of caloric restriction/overexercise. I did the self-help part, and I was still getting binges. My doctor wanted to help and Vyvanse wasn’t going to be a financial option.
Ritalin left my whole body racked with pain after 2 doses. (Come to find out it can block (IIRC) serotonin receptors/what is used to make serotonin in your body.) I have a loose diagnosis of Fibro so this was OUT as an option for me.
I had been doing better on Adderall. 20 in the am, 10 when it wears off (I seem to metabolize quickly, so I get 2 ‘good hours’ on 20mg, and wait for 4 hours since I have the first dose before taking my 10mg).
My doctor thinks I need to raise my dose as I’ve had issues with very small ‘subjective’ binges (which is controversial in recovery from eating disorders, what is a ‘subjective’ binge) and my focus is waning. Understandable he thinks I need to go up.
Here is the odd thing for me. I take supporting amino acids (L-Tyrosine, but I watch it b/c it can be a problem for me), Inositol (which was a HUGE brain changer when I first tried it), B vitamins, L-Carnitine, Chelated magnesium, Fish oil, small amt of DHEA (I’m going through menopause). I know the research as well as a interested layperson can.
I am on an eating schedule. I am not undereating, I’m not overeating for my weight. I moderate my exercise but do get some as I can due to pain. I have a good marriage and a very supportive husband.
The plus of adderall is my chronic pain is less (likely serotonin cycle related?), I can focus a bit more, and I’ve found a small amount of medium joy in life after about 2 years straight of feeling like I was in a semi-depressed fog.
But, some days, when my digestion is ‘off’ I am just sad, like, dark ‘life isn’t worth it anymore’ sad.
Sometimes it does leave when I take my second dose. Sometimes it doesn’t. Dopamine enhancing activity helps but there’s only so much coffee I can drink and I can’t take vigorous exercise.
I lowered my dose recently to 15mg in the am, 10mg 4 hours after.
It’s about the same.
I give this ‘book’ of a post because, I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’ve DONE everything right. I’m in menopause. I don’t know how to troubleshoot menopause + adderall + binge eating and gah.
Is there anything that jumps out at you as being a thing?
Thank you in advance. I will keep reading.
RDK
Hi RDK,
I appreciate the complexity of your question.
Some thoughts:
1. I know very little about thyroidectomy. But my friend who had one, due to cancer, seems to constantly be on a bit of a roller coaster– mood, cognition, weight, etc.. So, I imagine that is playing a large role here.
2. Have you investigated the Vyvanse savings program? https://www.vyvanse.com/
In the end, Vyvanse still might not work as well as Adderall for you. But it’s a smoother and more extended delivery.
It might be that what your prescriber views as “not enough medication” is really “dips” in the availability — as one dose wears off and before the next kicks in.
The only reason that Vyvanse was FDA-approved for binge-eating disorder was because Shire paid for the process. There is no evidence that it alone among the stimulants helps with regulating food consumption. In fact, ADHD has been associated with “treatment resistance” obesity — and, in some research on those who qualified for the ADHD diagnosis, stimulant medication helped.
3. I would be careful with the amino acids. I know that this was all the rage for a while. But the research I’ve seen indicates this might have unintended consequences. Maybe best to eat foods that have the range of amino acids.
4. Stimulant as serotonin-suppressor — yes, I’m the one who has been beating the drum on that. That and the opposite — antidepressant as dopamine suppressor.
It’s complicated, and it’s not true for everyone. But it’s not limited to Ritalin. It’s all the stimulants.
Have you considered taking an SSRI along with the stimulant? Starting with a low dose (lower than most MDs realize is enough to work).
5. Coffee is not a good idea when taking stimulants — it can mitigate the effect or exacerbate it.
6. Menopause itself can put a “whammy” on women with ADHD. Dr. Patricia Quinn says that many will benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy. (Many women also report — even those without ADHD — that “aches and pains” resolve once they start HRT.)
7. How is your sleep?
I hope I’ve given you some possibilities to think about!
take care,
Gina
Hi Gina,
Reading this article and all the comments has made me feel so validated.
My husband was diagnosed with ADD and then place on Adderall about four years ago. At that time I had no idea that I should have been a part of that process so I wasn’t.
His physician prescribed it and he would go back every 3-6 months for check ups etc. I was never apart of the process. But I started to notice changes in his personality. He would get super irritable and frustrated easily. His fun loving nature seemed to disappear.
Someone mentioned an unrelenting focus. His focus is now on our marriage and realizing how there were certain dynamics he didn’t like about how I behaved. He is unrelenting in that focus. It feels like I can never make amends the way he needs, he tells me he has a list of things I need to clean up and I never seem to do it right so the list grows.
I believe because of his clearer thinking he has discovered things he hasn’t liked in our marriage which is okay but it has been absolutely unrelenting in his dogmatic focus.
In the beginning he was having a lot of explosive reactions but seems to be managing that better now. He tells me that I am reactive but after so much focus on my shortcomings all the time I an starting to feel crazed and reactive as well. He refuses to let me go to his doctor with him to tell the doc what I see.
He refuses to go to counseling. His intensity has increased dramatically. I miss my fun and light husband. He seems to be able to lighten it up with others. I see him mostly at the end of the day when he is coming down off the meds. (during the week) He is taking the pills every day now as well. He wasn’t’ at first but one time he ran out for 3 days and he told me he felt the worst he had ever felt in his life, even having suicided thoughts.
I think he is scared to go off them now because he is worried he won’t be able to function at work.. I do not believe he abuses (takes more then he should) them but I def. see personality changes. He also is starting to have insomnia at times, and drinks in the evening to come down I believe. I am at the end of myself and don’t know what to do. I know they feel like a miracle drug to him as they help him so much with his work to focus. Do you have any advice for me? I have your book. Are their other resources out there about this topic or online support groups?
Dear Sharon,
Of course you had no idea that you should have been part of the process. You will hear this from VERY FEW professionals. That’s why I have made it an issue.
You can send a letter or e-mail to the doctor, expressing your concerns. The doctor doesn’t have to respond to you. But HIPPAA does not prevent that.
If it were my husband, I’d tell that doctor I will hold him responsible for any car accident, job loss, or, heaven forfend, loss of life thanks to his gross negligence.
Your husband is behaving abusively toward you but probably lacks the insight to know what he is doing.
Your husband has other options. There are many choices of stimulants that are not as problematic as Adderall.
Moreover, you don’t know how he is truly performing at work. He might lack insight to see the problems he is having there, too. Do you know anyone at his workplace you could ask, in confidence, about his behavior?
I wish there were other resources on this topic for you. I’m afraid I’m it.
This is a very delicate situation. If he hears from his prescriber that you are “saying bad things about his Adderall,” he might become enraged at you for meddling.
This is medical malfeasance, plain and horrifying.
Perhaps you can find another, more responsible prescriber and suggest your husband get a second opinion — that maybe he can have the focus he needs for work without insomnia, etc.
It might help you if you joined my online discussion group. Apply with an address that doesn’t show your name. That way, you can speak freely. I think you need support now.
https://groups.io/g/ADHDPartnerWithGinaPera
take care,
Gina
Sounds just like what happened to my 29 year old son. You feel helpless and angry and not sure where to turn, although you know eventually something got to happen because you can’t go on like this..it did in my sons case, he got very paranoid and delusional. We managed to get him into a mental health/substance abuse 30 day inpatient. It’s been two weeks and he sounds so much better being off Adderall. He finally faced his fear of not having it. It’s a terrible addicting drug and can’t understand why a doctor would prescribe it so easily Knowing the damage it can do.
Dear Patrice,
I can only imagine that parental nightmare.
Best to you and your family,
Gina
Hi Sharon,
Sorry you have this difficulty at home.
It is indeed hard.
May I suggest, read all you can. My first books were written by Gina Pera.
I even ordered one via Amazon and had it sent to my physicians office!
She has two books.
“Is is YOU, Me, or Add?”
also
“Couples Therapy for Adhd”
You’ll be underlining nearly every sentence!
Please, when you make that next appointment with a new Doctor, ask the front desk if patients, adult patients with Adhd, are treated by the doctor.
If not, keep calling around.
Kindest regards to you,
Sincerely,
Nancy
ps If your partner ……….
had a Cancer, Diabetes, or Kidney failure, both of you would be working together to beat it or get a handle on the newest information. What you hear, your partner may not.
Take notes. Lots of them. Even when at home. Document what ya eat and mood changes. Date your notes.
Be sure to take your notes with you to the doctors office.
As they will give you only so much time, make it worth while.
Good Luck.
Thanks, Nancy, for that vote of support!
I just “wrapped” the 45th video for the first course in my online training series.
It is ALL about education and becoming pro-active mental-healthcare consumers.
g
I am 41. I started law school once and failed because there is no way I could collect my thoughts and communicate them in the allotted time.
I gad not recalled a time every struggling in school. I may not have gave it my all, but school came with ease.
Well that’s what I thought anyway. Five years later, 6500 worth of student loans to pay for three evaluations and testing.
The third time was a charm. It was over a three day period I was given multiple tests and or games.
Fast forward to now. I am in my last year of law school, I was able to get an accommodation for extra time and five months ago ( and many years later) I finally was given medication as management.
There is no follow up, nothing. I first tried cymbalta because along with the adhd I have chronic pain from car accident.
The cymbalta did not work and made me feel like I was having zaps to my brain
I’m not on med two, Adderal. I have been on this med for about a month and I feel like I want to explode. I have no patience and I am snappy and irritated 90% of the time. I would venture to say this drug is not for me.
My doctor scheduled an appointment for 3 weeks, but in the meantime doubled my dose to adderal Xr 30 mil. I am currently at 15mg.
I am getting ready to start prepping for the bar. Although I do like my ability to stay on task with it, the side effects are excessive.
How do I go about getting someone to help me. I have Kaiser and they suck, I don’t have money to spend on private care and I want to be on regulated medication by May to sit the bar in July. Please help!!!
Dear Adrienne,
I am outraged for you. HOW DARE THEY.
Can you possibly delay taking the bar???
That doctor sounds like a knucklehead — you’re describing bad side effects and he says to “double the dosage”.
We joke about that in my local adult ADHD group. But its gallows humor. Our incredulity at the inanity. And it happens more often than most people realize.
Adult with ADHD: I tried the new medication. The first day, all my hair fell out. The second, I sprouted a third leg. I called the doctor to report the symptoms. What do you think he said?
The rest of us: DOUBLE THE DOSAGE.
I tell you, it would be laughable if it weren’t so reckless. Kaiser-Permanente has a VERY bad reputation here in Silicon Valley, at almost all locations (except maybe SF). KP has also paid millions of dollars in fines for underserving patients with mental-health issues.
If you’re stuck with KP, you will have to self-advocate.
I don’t know where the MD love came from for Cymbalta, especially for ADHD. (I suspect a big marketing push.) It’s not even close to being recommended for ADHD. It’s outrageous.
Moreover, many people with ADHD have an easier time managing the “pain signals” from chronic pain once they start stimulant medication.
Why would he prescribe Adderall? Because every MD with a Rx pad seems to have gotten the idea that it’s the “best” for adults.
Why? It’s a mystery. Well, at least that’s all I’ll say publicly.
PLEASE. Take control of this.
If you’ve never tried the other class of stimulant (methylphenidate), you might want to try Ritalin or Concerta. ASK the MD FOR IT.
If you try Concerta, try to get brand (typically a problem with KP, though). There’s a savings program now but some KP members have told me it doesn’t matter; the docs won’t prescribe it: https:Concerta.net Avoid the generics: They are nothing like Concerta brand. Unless you can get the authorized generic, which is a bit complicated– and more than you need to deal with right now.
I don’t know what the KP doc will prescribe. They can be very difficult and the pharmacy limiting.
Alternatively, you could try a LOW DOSE of Vyvanse—some KP members have been prescribed that. Don’t let the MD talk you into an “average starting dose”. There is no “average” when it comes to ADHD.
The motto is: Start low, increase slowly. If you get a low-dose pill, you can more conveniently just double it — rather than waiting for a new prescription, etc. etc.
Some people might be outraged that I am suggesting that you manage your prescriber. Who am I? I am someone who has seen this human tragedy play out way too many times. It’s a public health crisis.
Read my book’s chapters on medication. Use that as your guide. The advice comes from a preeminent ADHD expert, Margaret Weiss, MD, PhD.
https://amzn.to/398b7Ao
Best of luck to you. Don’t be cowed. You’re obviously smart. Read those chapters and self-advocate.
take care,
g
I started Adderall XR about a month ago. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 37. It took a good 2-weeks of consistently taking the drug to finally get used to it. Those first two weeks I felt so calm all I wanted to do was listen to music and lay in bed. Starting the drug was a little rocky, with some mood swings. I must say,though, I had very bad mood swings before starting Adderall. With proper diet, yoga, meditation and a positive mindset, only then Adderall works. You can’t just pop a pill and expect it to work. You got to get to bed at a reasonable hour, stick to a morning routine, and eat healthy.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for your comment. That is a CRITICAL lesson. Thanks for sharing it.
Gina
They put me on adderall as a kid and it gave me focus but it also destroyed my social life, gave me crushing anxiety that I still deal with today, and turned me into a zombie. That drug may be good for some but I wish doctor’s and especially insurance companies would stop trying to force it on people. My insurance for instance wouldn’t even pay for anything else till I had tried adderall again. Finally found what would work for me in zenzedi (dextroamphetamine) but I’ll probably be on anti anxiety meds the rest of my life now after years of my childhood being forced to take large doses of adderall
Dear Evan,
I’m so sorry that you have the first-hand experience on this.
I absolutely agree with you. I’ve worked for 20 years to get prescribers to shape up re: Adderall.
Would you believe I’ve never found one to support this view? What I’ve heard instead is, “Well, Gina, you know Ritalin can have side effects, too.”
It’s a good thing I’m not vulnerable to gaslighting, because I might have capitulated long ago.
Unlike these physicians, I am privy to the stories. Far too many stories. Not rarities.
I assume that you’ve tried the methylphenidate class? Sometimes the amphetamines create anxiety — or exacerbate underlying anxiety.
So maybe it’s possible that it’s the AMP class that is creating the anxiety problems?
At any rate, many adults with ADHD have a neurogenetic co-existing condition. That is, for example, anxiety that is related to problematic serotonin/norepinphrene transmission rather than anxiety as fallout from untreated ADHD.
I suspect I know why the insurance company requires you to try Adderall first. Because a meta-analysis based on VERY paltry evidence determined that Adderall was the best option for adults.
That’s another blog post in draft mode. Counting that horribly flawed meta-analysis.
take care and good for you, for looking out for yourself,
g
This whole article really spoke to me. I’m 19 now, and I was first put on Adderall when I was 9 years old. I can’t even remember life without Adderall in it. I have wasted so much time going to different physiatrists, doctors, specialists; you name it I’ve seen them. I’ve always known that Adderall has been causing problems because it never really worked in the first place. I became so dependent on that drug that when I did not take it I would feel moody and anxious. For the first time in my life, I have a choice, and after reading this I am going to talk to my physiatrists about stopping it.
Dear Blaire,
Good for you. Being pro-active is the only way to go.
So many kids with ADHD have been turned against treatment because the prescriber was not careful, did not educate the child on how they should (or should not) feel, did not ask for feedback from the child or parent. It’s just criminal, really, especially because it still happens.
It might be that you still benefit from stimulant medication, but that Adderall is not the best choice. So, you should know your options. Trust me on this.
I encourage you to read my book’s chapters on medication before talking about this with your psychiatrists. Chances are good that, after you do, you will know much more than they do. You can even provide them with a photocopy.
https://amzn.to/3jdB1FS
Good luck!
Gina
as drug addiction. Elvis, who in his last decade lived on alternating currents of uppers and downers, took pain medication and other approved substances. But like most prescription-drug casualties, he was convinced that he occupied a different sphere from all the scurrilous and sordid addicts hooked on cocaine or heroin. (He wasn t a junkie; he was taking his medicine.) Today, if you talk about the opioid crisis, or what it means to be a methamphetamine addict, you ll conjure up a desperate, grunged-out myth of heartland depravity that s light-years removed from the safe medicalized images of a dutiful shrink writing out a prescription for Adderall. Yet in the urgent and eye-opening documentary Take Your Pills , which premieres today on Netflix, the director Alison Klayman deconstructs those prejudices to show you how potentially misleading and dangerous they are. Her movie focuses on the class of psychotropic stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, etc.) that are now prescribed, at epidemic levels, to treat ADHD and other attention disabilities.
Thanks for your comment, Molly.
Unfortunately, I found the “Take Your Pills” film highly abusive and exploitative.
I wrote about it here:
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-news-and-research/take-your-pills-pseudo-documentary-dont-take-the-bait/
Thank you, Gina, for the enlightening post. I never knew how complicated medicine could be before.
You’re welcome, Brian! I’m glad you found it useful.
Treating ADHD with medication is not typically that complicated — for prescribers who know what they are doing.
Too many, however, see treating ADHD as simple. As one psychiatrist said to me (and I’ll never forget it):
“Treating ADHD is easy. You just throw a stimulant at it.”
take care,
g
I was misdiagnosed with ADHD at 38. And adderall ruined my life and relationships. I am still trying to repair the damage. It ruined my relationship with my family, my children, my friends, my coworkers. I destroyed my health. Adderall is a terrible drug especially for someone who doesn’t have ADHD. I’ve beem off of it for over a year. I took it for almost a year. My life has improved immensely. I am so grateful to be off of it and rebuilding my life.
Dear Dan,
I’m glad you have been on the road to recovery.
It’s so difficult, to have heard these stories for years, and still to—after finally helping someone to get diagnosis—learn that the doc has prescribed Adderall.
It’s insane, really. And I’d like to take away their prescribing pads.
Thanks for validating the phenomenon,
g
Gina,
I came across your article while researching adderall as I have just started taking it. I wasn’t diagnosed until now, at 22. I really resonated with the section in your article about ADHD sneaking up on people. I felt seen, heard. I was the smart kid in high school who didn’t have to pay attention to do well, so I didn’t, and no one noticed because my grades were good.
But then I got to college. I struggled through college, I couldn’t sit through a lecture without messing around on my laptop, or my phone, or just doodling. I didn’t even get help until I actually graduated and realized I can’t even watch tv anymore because I couldn’t focus for a 30 minute episode.
Anyway, I just appreciated knowing I’m not alone in this situation. Especially now, coping with my new diagnosis and thinking about what could have been if I’d gotten help before.
Dear Madeline,
Thank you for validating a storyline I’ve heard a few times—but that of course raises eyebrows among people who don’t understand ADHD. Including the grandstanding reporter at The New York Times.
It’s a storyline that many mental-health professionals won’t understand, either.
It might be that your distractibility, etc in college is “professionally” interpreted as something else entirely….after all, you did great in high school! It must be that you have Fear of Success or …something.
It can be the same thing with marriage, with buying a house, with having a child, with getting a promotion. Even “good” things can be the straw that broke that camel’s back — that is, push the brain’s executive functions beyond their capacity the brain’s executive functions.
Though it may be difficult, I support your reflecting on what might have even — not to be maudlin or stuck in the past (and not that you can really ever know how the past might have been different…it might have been not so good!). But rather to understand on a profound level how when ADHD goes recognized, it can rob people of their free will and the future they might have had.
I hear from people of all ages, many decades older than you, only now discovering that ADHD explains so many mystifying (and sometimes crippling) challenges.
Thanks for writing and good luck to you.
G
Hello I have been in a relationship with a man who has a severe adderall addiction. I won’t get into the horrendous details in this comment.
But, your article came up, about adderall and you spoke of how your husband? Is this correct? How the medicine changed him? And then I clicked on your book link and felt like this may be a book I really might need to read. But I wanted to get reviews on it, Amazon didn’t offer a description of what the book was actually about…
So I googled it…
And I found a link that actually allows you to read the first 40 pages like a “sample read”
And I have just read the introduction, I guess you could say, it sort of confused me and wasn’t really what I expected…
I read the introduction and you state how you are “pro-medication? Is this correct?
Because they introduction to me didnt seem congruent with what I read in your article online?
I just want you to know that I am genuinely trying to understand is all. And please correct me if I am wrong.
The introduction seemed more focused toward identifying adult ADHD, and how to deal with it, and manage it, which is great for people seeking out this very much needed information, which I absolutely commend you and others for sharing your stories, and for putting this information tool out there for people who I am sure have and will benefit very much from…
Because what I think I was able to perceive about you? Is that you are very well knowledgeable and educated about the subject of ADHD.
I did also get the feel that you want to help.
AND me myself I apologize for any struggles and my heart sincerely goes out to you and any other person who is affected by anything having to do with mental issues, strife, conflict, addiction, grief, or any sorta struggles in life making life more of a struggle than others already is.
I have a deep empathy because I myself am a single mother of 5 children ages 19- down to 6… who have been diagnosed with different mental illness ranging from high functioning aspergers/with a combination of prevalent comorbiding bi-polar, to Borderline personality disorder, in the middle I have a child also on the spectrum but has been dianoised with ADHD also raised two boys that my ex-husband had from his first marriage and they are ages 25 and 26 now, were 5 and 6 when I met him. The 25 year old was also dianoised with aspergers so I understand fully the struggles and my ex-husband and I myself are very educated about a wide variety of mental issues, unfortunately it seems we are more knowledgeable than “the experts” to the point of having to educate them…if that makes any sense?
and I hate to say this, and I don’t want to come across as arrogant but it is true, and it has been a very difficult road I have to say for him? Over 20 years, for me? 20 years and it continues to be a struggle… But we constantly educate ourselves effectively co-parent best we can, during the times we don’t have horrible communication breakdowns….
But like I was saying, I was expecting the introduction to be more anti-medication I guess??
Giving information about the drug adderall and the cons of taking it and the effects it has on a person’s brain, personality ect that people may be unaware of.
And how “adderall” was what changed your husband, causing martial break-down and the affects that did to you? And your marriage. Like, what I have perceived from this article.
But, like I said that’s not what I gathered when i read the introduction and a sample page.
Your book introduction actually contradicts this article? I believe because you say you are pro medication, and it more focus on how ADHD was the problem in yours and others situations? Not the medication
Like the stories of the husband that had a spending problem, or the one who would get distracted when the children were left in his care?
So, please. If you could help me understand my perception of incongruency? And correct me if what I have perceived is incorrect…I would appreciate it very much.
Thank you
Dear Faith,
I appreciate your question. And I understand your confusion. I’ll take each question separately.
1. My “pro-medication” stance
When my first book came out, in 2008, Adult ADHD was little known. Much less well known: Adults taking stimulants for Adult ADHD. There was also a certain organization that calls itself a “church” (for tax purposes) that was waging quite a nasty campaign against ADHD and the medications used to treat it.
As a book based on the science, my book confirmed the science of ADHD medication treatment: It works. That’s why I wanted to take a very clear statement on medication.
My book also, though, detailed an approach to medication that few prescribers follow. Instead, many have been “throwing Adderall” at patients, with little regard for monitoring.
That is what I warned about in this article (and warned about for years previously):
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-news-and-research/the-tragic-truth-of-prescription-adderal-or-madderall/
Adderall is unique among the stimulant class of medications. It has additional effects. That means it works the best for a minority of people. But it creates a higher side effect profile for many others.
That’s why prescribers need to pay attention.
But no, Adderall did not cause a marital breakdown for me and my husband. He tried Adderall early on, and that’s when I noticed that the “treatment was worse than the condition.” But the condition was still difficult enough.
That motivated me to help others avoid the dangers of mindless prescribers.
Done properly, medication for ADHD can make an enormously positive difference. This is an essay from a woman diagnosed later in life with ADHD, followed by her husband’s diagnosis. She writes about the before and after of medication treatment for them both.
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/book-club/medication-help-adhd-relationships/
2. You are more knowledgeable than “the experts.”
You ask if that makes sense. Unfortunately, yes.
Especially when it comes to the “specialists” who see only one piece of the puzzle and ignore the rest.
For example, if you see a mental-health professional who knows about (or thinks he or she knows about) autistic-spectrum disorders (ASD), you might get that diagnosis for yourself or your child when the correct diagnosis is actually ADHD. Or at least ASD and ADHD.
That’s because the professional doesn’t understand that ADHD is not always about “hyperactivity.” It can be about difficulty with social skills, making eye contacts, etc….all the things they think are ASD.
Also: At least half of those diagnosed with ASD are thought to also have ADHD. So treating the ADHD might help them, too.
And the same with “bipolar specialists” — they want to see ADHD symptoms as a type of bipolar.
All this misdiagnosing and mistreating is a public-health crisis, in my opinion. That’s why I do this work.
I hope that answers your questions. And best of luck to you in helping your children. You have a lot on your plate.
g
She says numerous times that it does work very well for some but not for all. She’s trying to educate people so they can make more informed decisions or know what kind of things to look out for. Why condemn a medication all around when it can be a good thing?
Thanks, Courtney. 🙂
As my husband is known to say to me: “Are you trying to convey nuance and gray area on the Internet again? You know that’s a recipe for trouble.” 🙂
take care,
g
Hi Gina,
I have a few questions. I have been prescribed vyvanse for my ADD and taking it for over 9 years now. My tolerance had built gradually and for the past 3 years I’ve been on 70mg. My doctor also prescribed myself 20 mg adderall to take on afternoons if I had excessive work that evening. I’ve had my “as needed” prescription of adderall for the past 4 years now. I am a 21 year old student in college. For the past few months I have noticed my extreme lack of motivation and excessive sluggishness—even with my vyvanse. And I can do absolutely NOTHING without it—even the smallest tasks I used to be able to do. I can confirm that I am reliant on it to even get out of bed. THE SMALLEST TASKS FEEL IMPOSSIBLE. I even struggle to take my pill in the morning because I don’t even have enough motivation to go get a glass of water to take it. I have also been experiencing chest pains from time to time and it has been really hard for my eyes to focus lately (specifically when I take my adderall). This realization has been extremely concerning to myself so I reached out to my mother. Here is the thing, I told my mother that I think I am dependent but she dismisses me. Considering I’ve been on meds since 6th grade, my mother knows how much they have helped me focus with my add. I think she doesn’t want to believe that this dependency is a problem because she has seen firsthand the good they have done. She thinks I’m exaggerating and since she can’t feel what I’m feeling she doesn’t understand. She only sees 9 years of positive results.
Here’s the other thing.
I decided to research theses changes and the more I researched the more problematic things became. I think I was misdiagnosed with ADD and that in 6th grade I SHOULD have been diagnosed with Sensory Integration Disorders (which are commonly mistake for ADHD). I have never had the hyperactivity—my main symptoms were that I could not focus on homework and if there was even the smallest sound I would throw a tantrum. I also had trouble with reading comprehension (which the doctor attributed to my inability to focus).
I am 99 percent certain I have SID after reading about it. I Don’t know what to do now. It’s been over 9 years of my life on these meds and I’m not even sure if they were the correct diagnosis to begin with—what if that is the reason I kept upping the doses—not tolerance but because they weren’t fixing all of my symptoms (specifically my reading comprehension skills—my meds only caused me to hyperfocus and dissect words and reread paragraphs 50 billion times until they made sense). Then I started reading about long term effects of taking these drugs if you don’t have ADHD as well as long term abuse. Chest pain, blurred vision, etc. I have literally experienced multiple of the effects over these years and I never even knew it. I’m terrified that I have done 9 years worth of irreversible damage on my body. I don’t want my mom to dismiss me again and I know she will and I’m worried that my doctor will stop my meds because they are already so cautious with prescribing them (for good reason). And I’m worried if I tell her these things and it turns out I’ve done irreversible damage on my body, how will I ever get out of bed again?? I cannot fathom how I will handle that especially with the numbness and lack of motivation I have recently been feeling.
Sorry this is so long! I just needed to get this out.
Hi JoAnn,
I’m sorry you are struggling with these side effects—because from what you’ve written, it seems likely that’s what they are.
But I completely understand why you are questioning your diagnosis of ADHD, in favor of one for SID. I’ll explain about that below.
Overall, I encourage you to relax a bit about the side effects you are reporting, insofar as doing “permanent damage.” There is a lot of nonsense online about ADHD and stimulants.
That doesn’t mean you should just live with it. No, you should definitely try to improve this situation — and recruit your mother’s help. None of what you report should be the price of “focus.”
https://amzn.to/3a9WDQH
Here are my thoughts:
1. Battle for Territory
SID is one of those conditions that tend to be secondary to ADHD — that is, ADHD neurobiology can result in those symptoms. That means ADHD treatment typically helps treat the “SID” as well.
Keep in mind: SID is a term used in the field of occupational therapy, not psychiatry. It is not a psychiatric diagnosis. It is not even a medical diagnosis.
And that’s part of the problem. It’s a “territory battle” between two specialties: medical psychiatry and occupational therapy.
The trouble is, occupational therapists (as much as I respect them) are not neuropsychiatrists. That means too often the occupational therapists (OTs) see SID where a competent neuropsychiatric sees SID as resulting from ADHD neurobiology.
In other words, OTs are essentially seeing one “side effect” of having ADHD — and viewing it as a standalone condition.
Speech therapists often do the same thing with “auditory processing disorder” (APD). But there is no evidence that APD exists except as secondary to ADHD.
It’s important to make these distinctions because in both cases stimulant medication has been shown to be the most effective.
In the end, it might be that you have only SID (even though it’s not a recognized medical diagnosis). But I see enough other issues that point to having inferior treatment for ADHD, and that might be causing the side effects you report.
I encourage you to start there and put SID on the back burner for a while.
2. Stimulant addiction
I understand your mother’s perspective — she is probably worried that you are close to rejecting the ADHD and stopping the only treatment that has been effective.
But I also understand your perspective. You express alarm at feeling that you would be completely non-functional if it weren’t for the drug that is also potentially creating chest pains. You report also experiencing blurred vision.
It might be that you have developed a tolerance. But it might also be that your dose is too high or other factors are at work.
Some questions I would ask about factors that can increase stimulant side effects:
Are you getting sufficient sleep>?
Are you consuming caffeine?
Are you eating a well-balanced diet, including sufficient proteins (not “HIGH PROTEIN DIET”, but enough protein ….because protein’s amino acids are the building blocks of neurotransmitters such as dopamine)
Are you taking a supplement or other medication that might be interfering?
Have you been evaluated for co-existing depression or anxiety (that is, standalone conditions that aren’t the result of being “depressed” or “anxious” from facing ADHD fallout)?
3. The “booster” dose
Personally, I am not a fan of the “booster” dose. That’s because I’ve seen it too often used when the entire process of “dialing in” a medication for an individual has been done in a haphazard manner.
70 mg is a relatively high dosage of Vyvanse (if you aren’t a known fast metabolizer). Sometimes doctors increase the dosage when they should be adding another dose hours later. In other words, instead of increasing the dosage in order to make it last longer, they should be considering adding a second dosage later. Increasing the dosage above what works well for a patient means more side effects.
In other words, maybe you would do best on one lower dosage of Vyvanse in the morning and another dose as that first is wearing off. The fact is, these long-acting medications don’t always last as long as promised. It depends on the individual’s metabolism — slow, normal, or fast.
For another thing, Adderall is NOT the same as the medication in Vyvanse. Both are amphetamines but their mechanism of action is very different. By taking Adderall when Vyvanse wears off, you are essentially starting an entirely different process in your brain, one that might require adjustments each and every time.
Moreover, it might be that you would do better on a methylphenidate option (e.g. Ritalin, Concerta, etc.) than on an amphetamine (e.g. Vyvanse, Adderall, etc.). If you’ve never tried a methylphenidate option, that might be worth looking into.
I encourage you to print my comment for future reference and for sharing with your mother. And do read my book’s chapters on medication — and ask your mother to read, too:
https://amzn.to/3fBADzl
I hope this helps!
g
Hi Gina,
Great write up! Definitely know your stuff. I see some comments about people stating their opposition – most of them with a strong emotional response rather than using logic and rational thought.
I had been on vyvanse 60mg for over a year (30s, Male/active/health-conscious) and saw many of the undesired sx that you mentioned: increased irritability, random bouts of anger (often internalized into “unused adrenaline-dump” feeling), and lack of emotion – all during the second half of the day. I wouldnt say it was ruining any relationships but I realized something was not right.
I assume it has something to do with dose and come-down type effects – but many of these symptoms became worse as time goes on even with routine breaks in medicating. I soon found though that I could not take more than a day w/o meds before I was sad, unmotivated, and stuck in bed all day.
I am interested to hear your thoughts on how hormones might play in here. Obviously you have extensive knowledge so I am sure this has crossed your mind. But I recently had a blood test for total/free testosterone (and some other markers) and although I was considered “normal” – ~400 total T – I knew from speaking with other professionals that normal falls under a large window for males, ~250 – 1000. I saw an online MD and he prescribed me TRT with a follow up blood panel.
Generally I dont advocate HRT or TRT for individuals still in their prime but after about two months I am around ~750 total T and my other markers look normal. I cant believe how amazing I feel: no anxiety, fear, anger, etc. during those two months starting TRT I weaned off vyvanse from 50mg to 40mg, to cold turkey. I slept extraordinarily well the first three nights off, then felt normal with no depressive sx and havent looked back. I feel focused, calm, and driven.
Sorry for the long response. Just wanted to share and hear your thoughts. Thank you!
Hi Cam,
Thanks for the kind words.
Over 20 years, I’ve sort of gotten used to the attacks. Mostly, I see how desperate the people making them feel. Even though it can still sting, I get it.
You ask a question I’ve been asking for a long time. About testosterone.
Shortly after I started this work, a urologist came out with a book on testosterone, mood, libido, etc.. He made a very convincing case.
I’d heard from more than a few men with ADHD about having “low T.”
The more I researched, the more I wondered if ADHD itself was creating the low T.
For example, hormone functions are controlled by the brain. When the “signals” are erratic so too can testosterone (and other hormone) production.
Also, I read about some evidence that testosterone can be affected by one’s perceived “status”. That is, roughly, a man whose ADHD means he has trouble at work, in relationships, etc. feels “low in the pecking order” — and that, on some primitive level, can affect testosterone.
Plus, for men with ADHD who lack the motivation and initiation to exercise regularly or eat well, that can affect testosterone, too.
So, I could see that pursuing ADHD treatment (including medication, improving diet/exercise/sleep, etc.) might raise T levels.
My main concern with testosterone supplementation, from what I’ve read, is that there are risks. For a man in his 30s, the risks might be particularly worth heeding.
Generally speaking, 400 is not low. Most of the men I know with ADHD who complain of low T hover in the 300 and below level.
The thing is, maybe Vyvanse was not the right Rx for you. Or, maybe it was exacerbating brain-based vulnerabilities around serotonin (anxiety, irritability, depression, etc.).
Most adults with ADHD will have at least 1 co-existing condition — and 50% will have two.
It’s important that the prescriber address the full range of symptoms. Ask me how often this seems to happen. I’d guess about 20% of the time, if that.
If you feel great, it’s hard to argue with success. But I might encourage you to get a second opinion. An “online MD” might have quite the mill going, with insufficient concern for patients.
Thanks for writing.
g
Hi I struggle with amphetamine script addiction I so desperately want off this medication but can’t stop now I’m wondering if this could be because of my hormones could you tell me what TRT and HRT mean.Thank you so much.
Gina you will never know how your helping people may God bless you..
Hi KC,
Thanks for letting me know. It helps to re-charge my batteries. 🙂
I’ll give Cam a chance to respond. But HRT= “hormone replacement therapy” and TRT = “testosterone replacement therapy.”
Which amphetamine are you taking? Adderal? Dex?
If you’ve never tried the other class of stimulants (methylphenidate), you might talk to your doctor about that. The choices include Concerta, Ritalin, and many more.
Or, if you do better with the amphetamine class, maybe try a smoother delivery such as Vyvanse.
Sometimes the biggest problems are caused by the delivery system. Immediate release or even some extended-release options can be very “hill and valley” or “roller coaster”.
The more sophisticated delivery systems, such as with Vyvanse and Concerta, offer a long, smoother, steadier release.
take care,
g
Hello Gina. I’m reaching out because I’m in the midst of trying to help my son who lives with me.
He’s a senior in college now and has been on adderall for ADD for 4 years now and before that on Focalin and vyvance. We are trying to find a mental heath doctor who is good and who takes my insurance even though I’m on a high deductible plan.
He is being treated by his general P.C. and just now she changed his medication. He also suffers from anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
He definitely began to become addicted to the adderall because his regular dose of 60mg a day just didn’t seem to cut it anymore. So here and there he would take more in a day that inevitably lead to his running out before he could get more.
He then began to have episodes of rage that caused many things to get broken in my house. I am away here to support him but it became progressively worse in the last month or so and the pandemic hasn’t helped.
We had to go to urgent care one weekend because he punched something so hard we thought he broke his knuckle. He had a telemed appointment with his doctor last week and he told her he keeps getting very angry.
She took him completely off his generic adderall ER and has put him on the generic Strattera. He’s beside himself depressed that he has lost his stimulant and he hasn’t gotten out of bed all day.
He just started taking Strattera yesterday so only has two doses in him — 3 pills of 18mg every morning. Do you know if this may be a good option for him.
His doctor felt he needed to come off any stimulant because he asked her if he could try vyvanse.
I can go on about all the details but that would require a phone call I think. He’s also taking clonazepam to great his panic attacks and the doctor has started him again slowly on generic lexapro, which he’s taken now only the past couple of days. Can you offer an insight about Strattera? He’s so upset and thinks this will not do him any good. How can I get a phone appointment with you if you’re even doing that anymore… ? Thank you for your helpful input.
Hi Ann,
I sympathize with you and your son. It should not be this hard.
The cavalier fashion in which far (far!) too many MDs prescribe for ADHD qualifies for malpractice, imho.
While I am not qualified to give medical advice, I can tell you about the basic recommended protocol for ADHD. (You can also read about it in my first book, which I highly recommend as a “consumer’s guide” for anyone dealing with Adult ADHD.)
There are so many questions I’d have for you. Unfortunately, I am not taking consulting calls now. Work developing online training is taking everything I have.
You say he “also suffers from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.”
Who says? How did whoever said that make a differential diagnosis? That is, was ADHD causing the “anxiety” and “depression” and “panic attacks”? Or did that come on when he started a stimulant?
Here is the most common and grossly negligent practice I see: “Throwing a stimulant at” ADHD, failing to treat the range of symptoms, and even failing to understand how ADHD can “look like” anxiety, depression, etc.
How did he take Adderall for four years without these problems? Obviously, he’s working/studying at a higher level now. And, as you say, the COVID restrictions can be very stressful.
re: panic attacks
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. This is probably the most over-prescribed drug today, especially for older people. It was never intended to be an ongoing treatment, only episodic, for anxiety. So-called “Benzos” can also have a nasty rebound — wherein when they wear off, symptoms return stronger than before.
What’s happening now.
You said: His doctor felt he needed to come off any stimulant because he asked her if he could try Vyvanse.
It seems the doctor has pegged your son as an amphetamine addict. Maybe he is. I don’t know. But it sounds like he’s been doing his best to cope — and whatever doctors came before weren’t taking a careful approach to his treatment.
In fact, your son might have been on the right track, to try Vyvanse instead of Adderall. It has a smoother delivery system with fewer of the spikes and troughs common to Adderall.
But if he’s come to over-rely on Adderall—and has not optimized his sleep and diet and organizational/time-management strategies, even Vyvanse might pose a problem. (Those are questions to ask yourself.)
It is not generally considered good psychopharmaceutical practice to start two new medications at the same time: Strattera and Lexapro. Especially while still taking the clonazepam. The reason is simple logic: How will you know which one is working and which one is causing side effects?
re: Strattera. 54 MG is not an exorbitantly high dose. But it is higher than the recommended starting dose of 40 mg.
While technically Strattera is considered a first-line treatment for ADHD (that is, the type of medication most likely to be effective), most high-level clinicians and experts I’ve asked say that it works well for a minority but generally does little as monotherapy (that is, by itself, not in combination with a stimulant).
It takes a few weeks to build up in the system — where you’ll see its full effect — but it can also make its presence known much earlier. Keep an eye on your son. Is he “depressed” because he can no longer have Adderall or because the Strattera is creating that effect?
If he seems to be getting more depressed, call the doctor—or find another doctor.
It’s impossible to establish blanket rules. People with ADHD are individuals, each with a unique brain — like all humans.
But going slowly and methodically — and tracking progress or regression — is the only way to go, imho.
I encourage you to self-educate so you can better self-advocate for your son. The sorry truth is, we simply cannot rely on the average (or even above-average, sometimes) physician to know what the heck he or she is doing when it comes to ADHD.
I hope this helps.
Good luck to you and him! Please tell him I said to hang in there. This is a problem that can be fixed. And it’s not his fault.
g
Hi Gina, excited to see some recent activity on this article – I am really frustrated at how hard it is to find information on Adderall exacerbating the ‘hyperfocus’ problem of ADHD besides ‘yeah it does that’…it seems I see a lot of acknowledgement everywhere that yes, the user will be stuck on whatever they’re working on when the med kicks in and that isn’t an unusual response, so better make sure you’re on the right task before meds kick in…and that just seems like a strange/unacceptable solution to me?!
I was just diagnosed earlier this year at 27 and have been on generic adderall IR for 4.5 months or so and while it helps some areas, it doesn’t in others (for example, getting unreasonably angry…). One of my biggest struggles has always been task switching – so getting ‘stuck’ on things with adderall has been very frustrating, even if it’s something that I would have resisted getting into before. I’ll even be aware that I’m ‘stuck’ but can’t seem to disengage and switch tasks. We tried lowering the dose and my life slowly fell apart in those 2 weeks until we bumped it back up again and it didn’t help with the hyperfocusing problem, so I don’t think that’s the solution…
Your 4th point about being impatient was really interesting – I thought I was being pretty careful about not expecting too much and tempering expectations, but I definitely ‘burned out’ recently, which lined up with your 2 month estimation a little too much to be a coincidence, I think. (Is there a link to more info about the 2nd point about depletion somewhere that I missed?) I had some pretty good established routines like exercising and getting into the daily work flow that went out the window when I started meds and got off track during those first few days adjusting, and it’s now been months of me trying to get back into it and just not seeing a lot of success, which I thought meds were supposed to help with, hence thinking maybe adderall isn’t the one for me…
I have discussed a little with my Dr when I first expressed concern that I wasn’t getting the supposed 5-6 hours (only 4) and they suggested trying Focalin rather than a different extended release amp based med because of more potential side effects, I haven’t pulled the trigger yet because of the whole devil-you-know-vs-devil-you-don’t fear, it’s more expensive than generic IR, the thought that maybe it’s just me not using meds ‘correctly’ so switching won’t fix it, or it’s the specific generic I’m on, or idk! It’s very hard to evaluate, and while I’m sure it’s a variety of factors that contribute to why some days are better than others, I would have hoped to have noticed some more obvious patterns or indicators by now, rather than only being able to say it’s very inconsistent…
Do you have any easy to digest resources on amphetamine salts vs dexmethylphendiate in adults that doesn’t require a pharmacy degree to understand but is written for intelligent adults interested in the topic?!
Hi Kate,
This has long been my most popular blog post. Every day, for years, I’ve seen the search terms that bring readers here: “Adderall is making my husband a jerk” and “why is Adderall making me angry?”
Of course, some find the post because they are seeking to abuse or illegally procure Adderall—then I hope they at least read a bit and think twice.
The sad truth is—and it is a major reason I launched my advocacy and wrote my book—is that too many prescribers have no idea what they are doing. The company that introduced Adderall is one known to make a big marketing push, so I suspect that is a chief reason.
To your points:
1. Generic adds a whole set of variables.
2. Yes, “tunnel vision” translates as “difficulty task switching”—which is already a common challenge with ADHD (“hyperfocus)
3. My 2-month estimation comes from many years of observation (and a ridiculously good memory). I wish more MDs understood this.
4. When I wrote my first book, I had the almost impossible task of getting at least one MD to comment, on the record, about the different mechanism of action with Adderall. All turned me down (and these are people I respect and who respect me). Only Chuck Parker, DO—bless his heart—was willing to even comment on it. So you can read about the differences there.
5. So, when it comes to understanding the “depletion” angle, this is mostly my informed deduction. This is a very difficult issue to research. Genetic differences, for one, affect dopamine transmission and activity at the synaptic gap.
Here is a paper that presents at least some of the complexity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3753078/
And this is the study it refers to (a mouse study, which has big limitations when it comes to humans): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3711765/
6. It’s really not important for you to develop a strong understanding of the psychopharmacological differences between mixed amphetamine salts and the other amphetamine options. I’ve seen many people with ADHD (who don’t have a molecular biology background) get bogged down in that topic, thinking that if they just understand what an isomer it, they will have the Holy Grail. 🙂 It’s mostly just wheel-spinning.
The only thing that matters is making judicial trials of several options in each class of stimulants before settling on one. The delivery system makes all the difference. For example, Ritalin and Concerta both contain the same raw ingredient: methylphenidate. But the delivery system can create entirely different effects in the individuals who take them.
From what I glean here, you have never been given a trial of methylphenidate stimulants. Focalin is one, but it’s not often the first choice. Perhaps your prescriber has specific reasons for trying it, though.
7. There are individual differences in metabolism, too. Even though the generic Adderall you’re taking is “supposed to” last 6 hours, that is a ballpark estimate. Especially with a generic, which can vary wildly manufacturer to manufacturer. Want to do a deep dive into the science? Check out this 7-part blog post from my husband and me: ADHD Gene-Testing and Predicting Medication Response
8. There is a basic method for selecting and titrating stimulant medications (and addressing co-existing conditions that also might be exacerbated by the stimulants). And I detail it in my first book. I encourage you to read it. Read it, and you will know more than many (most?) prescribers. Seriously. Read it. Write a log. Take notes. It’s the only way, imho.
Good luck!
g
Gina is correct. I am a former RN, an adult with ADHD and my two sons have ADHD. We all take different combinations of medications because we are all different. I have medical and psychological CEU’s from attending many CHADD international conferences where the top experts in the country lecture to other medical professionals on the subject. Gina has also been invited to be a presenter at CHADD and I have heard her present a couple of times. She is very well respected.
1. Finding the right medication and dosage takes some trial and error, but Gina is correct that dosing is supposed to be done low and slow (low dose and gradually titrating upwards until the most benefit without side effects occurs).
2. A full physical exam should be done first to rule out any medical conditions that may look like ADHD. This usually does NOT include expensive brain scans and medical tests unless a brain issue in structure is probable. An ADHD workup does not typically include an MRI, CT, EEG, EKG or genetic testing. I have done the research and I’m well aware of what the valid science says.
3. The FDA has not approved genetic testing for a diagnosis of ADHD, since no gene has been
identified for each of the three presentations.
4. Research validated rating scales for ADHD, Executive Functioning and other mental health issues are part of best practices and supported by most professional medical organizations. Many doctors still aren’t using them and this is huge problem in tracking symptoms and determining what symptoms are connected to what conditions.
5. The primary medication treatment and the most effective drug class for ADHD is still stimulant
medication. There are options to treat co-morbid conditions and often a combination is used in
these situations where someone has both ADHD and anxiety or depression, for example. Anti-
depressants alone are NOT a primary treatment for ADHD, they are a treatment for depression
which has similar, but not the same basis, for symptoms and the symptoms are not the same and
usually do not present the same.
6. Provigil is a CNS medication, but is not typically prescribed for ADHD. It’s primary use is for
patients with narcolepsy (for people who fall asleep during the day). ADHD is not an issue with
sleep. However, those with ADHD can have sleep issues more so than the average population.
7. Scientific research shows that people with ADHD who are treated with the appropriate dose of
stimulant medications and given the type or combination of medications that work for their
particular neurobiology are LESS likely to abuse substances than those who are under treated or
not treated at all. This has been presented by multiple experts at the CHADD medical breakout
sections.
8. A family history of addiction does NOT mean a person who has an ADHD evaluation or workup or is seeking one is seeking drugs or is an addict themselves and any physician that thinks that or treats patients as if they are….are not following the hypocritical oath and could be committing medical malpractice and contributing to the horrendous stigma that still exists regarding ADHD.
In each of our situations, we had work ups that were done correctly, including rating scales (not just self reports), ruled out medical conditions by highly qualified MDs, tried non-stimulants-which were not without side effects, had FDA approved testing when available and every provider for the past 10+ years has agreed with our diagnoses. None of us have misused ADHD medication and all function better on stimulants than without them.
Our biggest challenges right now, is the miseducation and stigma created by others, school staff who refuse to follow the federal laws to protect those with documented ADHD, attorneys who won’t file due process when clear violations of the law have occurred and been documented and issues with crappy ADHD generic medications that don’t work and aren’t as effective and have created side effects in a large population of people who take them (methylphenidate or generic concerta-which is not Adderall and in a different class of stimulants).
I would highly suggest than anyone that doesn’t like what Gina is blogging about, remove themselves from this blog since you don’t believe in what she is saying (which is supported by the experts). In any instance, it is rude and unhelpful to personally attack someone in a blog that has helped many people. As I have said, she is well respected by the top experts in the county. Your opinions do not trump our experiences or expertise which is based on hard science and fact.
Wow, Gwen. Thanks for the backup! I appreciate your support.
We Fans of Rating Scales must stick together! 😉
thanks again,
Adderall (Attentin) success story!
HI, I just wanted to share my experience with dexaphetamine (In sweden there are two drugs available with dexamphetamin, Vyvanse and Attentin.) Attentin is not RX. And it differs from Adderall in that it is 100% dexamphetamine compared to the 3/1 formula of Adderall 75% dexamaphetamine and 25% levoamphetamine.
Anyways, for me it really working magic _in combination_with my 36 mg Concerta. A game changer really. I think it’s the extra boost I get in my norepinephrine? Ihave tried skipping my concerta and doubling the Attentin, works well but I would rather have the extended release effects of the concerta.
The side effects are also different from my Concerta, less anxiety and less irritability. Will probably check with my Dr if I can try Vyvanse (maybe called Elvanse in the US?).
All the best / Peter
Glad it’s working for you. Sounds like Dexedrine, not Adderall.
Gina
TO MEDICATE ADHD – IN 7 YEAR OLD WITH PRENATAL DRUG EXPOSURE?
Gina, I have been reading your advice on your webpage – and obviously – you know alot about ADHD. We adopted our 7 year old son as a baby from foster care (received him at 4 months). He is sweet and kind- not hyper – just extremely inattentive. He suffers from EXTREME focus issues – in addition with executive functioning problems, occasional anxiety (dentists, doctors etc), some sensory stuff, fine and gross motor delays. Yet, Eli is very well behaved and well liked by teachers and peers.
We have been seeing a psychologist – who is referring us to a psychiatrist in her practice – because she thinks we should begin medicating to help him in the classroom. Here’s the BIG ISSUE: my son was born with prenatal drug exposure. His teen mom was in foster care and a runaway – and although just THC showed up in the meconium – my gut tells me he was exposed early on to a cocktail of different substances – that has affected his brain. His birth family are all addicts – with a history of “mental illness” – which I wonder – is it really mental illness -or just drug addiction?
I am fretting over beginning a medication. In your experience with ADHD – would you medicate a 7 year old with prenatal drug exposure – or would you be more hesitant?
Dear Tiffany,
I truly appreciate your dilemma and concerns.
I understand your suspicions that your son was exposed prenatally to more than THC (though we won’t discount that as benign) but you cannot know for sure.
What you do know is that his birth mother’s family suffers from addiction and a vague history of “mental illness”.
You wonder, is it really mental illness “or just drug addiction?”
In fact, drug addiction is considered a mental illness. More to the point, many people living with undiagnosed/untreated mental illness (including ADHD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, etc.) are vulnerable to developing an addiction to the substances that, at first, are attempts at “self-medication.” That is, to feel better, to slow the noise in their brain, etc.
If you trust this psychologist and she will work as a team with a psychiatrist in her practice, I’d say that you owe it to your son to try. That can be an ideal situation, much better than when the prescriber and therapist never compare notes.
You will never know the exact effect of the birth mother’s substance-use habits on your son’s developing nervous system. In fact, all fetuses are vulnerable to all kinds of adverse in utero effects such as a mother developing an infection while pregnant, having nutritional deficiencies, and so forth.
This is all an unknown.
The only thing that you know for sure is that your son is exhibiting what well might be ADHD symptoms. ADHD symptoms that his birth mother and her family might have attempted to “self-medicate” with all manner of substances.
And, that is good news. Because ADHD typically responds to treatment. You say your boy is well liked and has no behavior problems; that is also good news. How much better his life might be if his potential ADHD symptoms could be treated.
There are no lasting effects from a trial of medication. As I always say, “It’s not like cutting off a leg.”
In 20 years, after hearing thousands of stories, I have gone from “How can you medicate that child!” to “How can you NOT medicate that child!” 🙂
You want to make sure that the prescriber “starts low and increases slow.” That is, start with a low dose of medication and increase slowly over time, keeping a watchful eye on improvement as well as side effects.
It might take a few different trials of stimulant medication. There are many options. That means ADHD patients have a better chance of finding a choice that works best for them.
There is also a chance that the stimulant might exacerbate an underlying condition, such as anxiety. A good prescriber should view that not as a reason to stop the stimulant but as useful data that informs treatment going forward. It might be that a different stimulant or dosage will provide better results, or it might be that a second medication is necessary. This is completely normal.
I write about a simple protocol in my first book. Though targeted to adults, the principles are the same for children.
I encourage you to read and be familiar with the basic principles. That way, you can better advocate for your child.
https://amzn.to/2U2XE7O
I hope this helps. Good luck!
G
When i first started needing to take meds i was 9. Thats when i started getting random problems that landed me in the ER starting at age 13, before that, i showed symptoms of serious illnesses and constantly had to get tested and be in hospitals, my rare deep depression disorder that was diagnosed when i was 9, surprised my doctor and he didnt really know how to explain it due to the fact i have not experienced any severe and emotionally scarring trauma that would be the best explanation to why someone my age would have this disorder. When i got older i was seen by specialists at Stanford who thoroughly evaluated me and went deep into my head and the therapist who graduated at Stanford and taught there, she somehow was just so good she got me to open up about my entire life, things i didnt even know i could say just came out and i told her everything ive been through since like ever and i made her cry, she and the other doctors who were a team on me decided that in order to treat my physical health problems and everything else i would need to be in a depression ICU to effectively treat the depression because they feared that with my depression being so deep rooted that i wouldnt be able to progress into treatment for other things until my depression is helped. My depression didnt show on the outside though, only when you got me talking about my life in depth you saw it. That was how bad it was, that it was to the point of extreme that it was all in my head and i never let it out, because why act depressed? i get it if you are depressed if you have depression, you tend to act depressed but for most people that ends up fading or going away, for me it was so constant that if i showed it, there wasnt a point. To let it control me. I acted happy, half my friends in school didnt know i spent so much time in the ER and shit that when they got the news i was in the ER the previous night they were all worried, little did they know that was a typical week for me. I don’t have ADHD i have ADD my twin brother had ADHD. When i was being evaluated to figure out what kind of meds i needed to be on for my problems that i couldnt control and they were interfering with my life, like my ADD the psychiatrist was in no rush to give me a ADHD diagnosis. He thought it was possible because its popular in children but a lot of them grow out of it. He wanted to put me through a series of tests for ADHD and similar things. I did a lot of testing and then he found out i had ADD not ADHD. In your world of what the majority of psychiatrists do, what should of happened (if you are correct) then he would of seen that i had symptoms of ADHD and he would of put me on adderall right then and there at the age of like 10. Nope. Everyone who gave me meds was always very careful and watched me by seeing me regularly. I was on other meds for ADD before adderall. But when i was 13, i started smoking weed because my twin brother did, which got us smoking ciggarettes to 1 enhance the high, 2 cover the smell of weed so we can get into our rooms without our parents getting a big whiff of skunk when we walked to the hallway. One day he came to me and had 40mg of adderall for the both of us. We both took it and i got really high, i was so happy, very euphoric and emotional, i was on World of warcraft during the start of catacylsm xpack, if you know wow you know what i mean, and the land that got destroyed, i did a quest chain where i helped rebuild and save people and whatnot and then the quest giver gave me a tree companion pet that grew in water and i started bawling in tears because i was so honored that i could be so helpful and shit. I found out that when my brother was in the car with my dad going somewhere during this time he ended up breaking down from something my dad said and got all emotional and confessed to taking adderall…. So we both couldnt hide that high. But i am very observant. I noticed that while on adderall even though i was abusing it, everything felt clear, all the ways my disabilities made things foggy and hard to concentrate on things and just my world felt kinda foggy in my head and i couldnt really focus easily. I remembered the energetic feeling i felt, because it was something i felt before i started getting sick, what normal felt like. Before i had problems. So i went to my psychiatrist told him about my experience, he tells me it is helpful for someone like me but warned me i have to take it exactly how he tells me to and not increase the dose without him increasing it. He told me that he will see how i do on it because it effects people differently, it can make you agitated and speedy and shaky if you aren’t really meant for that type of drug and could look at prozac or something that has less of the agitation if you are sensitive to that. He saw my improvement and even the fact that i was one of the 4 to 5% of people who experienced the anti-depressant factor of adderall, its rare that it effects people so its not listed as a anti depressant even though the effect of the anti depressant in adderall is very good and is there mainly to make you feel good and combat the chances of jittery issues or racing issues to just give you the overall effect of feeling good. But i was experiencing the anti depressant part of it as if it were a separate drug. Because its so hard to find anti depressants that work for me (i still havent found one that is good enough, im on a super strong one but its not enough) he wanted me to get the most from that effect with adderall, he saw that i didnt abuse the drug, i showed major improvements and no red flags were up when on the drug so he felt it safe to keep increasing the adderall until it made me uncomfortable with jitters or shaking or racing and speed talking and acting like i took a little too much cocaine after smoking meth with some random guy on a longboard (i did do this before…) but i wasn’t active enough to be on much of a higher dose, if i got out and lived my life like a normal person id be on more right now, ive settled at 90mg now im at 150mg. When i turned 18 and then aged into a 21 year old my psychiatrist was pediatric and i could no longer hold onto him anymore so when i changed my psychiatrist. He said he wouldnt perscribe me adderall over 60mg and that was even a stretch and id have to be on 30mg (one pill) and move up. Fucking moron. I can’t find a kaiser psych that will perscribe me adderall at my dosage, i need to actually use connections i have with really great doctors to find someone in Kaiser who will prescribe me my actual dose. So i kind of wish that these psychiatrists would be how you think they are and give me the dose i am used to and function on. When i was a kid, no psych was eager to put me on a drug like adderall as a kid, now when i take it and i take a high dose, the psychiatrists wont perscribe me that much…. Whatever psychs you are reffering too that give adderall to potential and possible ADHD kids like candy must be the type of psychiatrist you get when you don’t have insurance. Those places hire people that can’t get a job somewhere like kaiser because they are too stupid and uneducated in their field that only a lower quality place where no psychiatrist has ever made anything good of themselves. I went to a place and saw someone for therapy at a place that didnt require insurance and wasnt a part of kaiser and the lady was so goddamn stupid if she prescribed drugs she would probably give me 140mg of adderall at age 12 if it made a positive difference on my focus ability and my energy levels, the fact that id basically be a pre-teen on speed and speeding around wouldnt matter cause technically she solved the problem. I couldnt focus before, now i can. So what if i act like im on crack? thats the level of idiotic these people are. So when you go write books, act like a specialist, why dont you talk to people who have actually experienced getting ADD treatment from places like Kaiser where you need insurance and shit, instead of the places that would hand out heroine to people who have depression if the law let them. When you are someone like me, who was born with both my parents working for kaiser, meaning i automatically got full insurance coverage, and it helped that my dad is a drug specialist and can make sure no one puts me on something that id have a bad time on. Medical funding goes to places with insurance mostly also the requirements to hire someone after they obtain the proper things needed to get the job, are not very high. If you pass the interview seem qualified enough, even if you aren’t and they just need to hire someone and you are passable. No big red flags. But places you need insurance at, for like meds, usually have a lot smarter doctors. I can say from experience, i have seen fewer good doctors and whatnot than the bad ones, very stupid people can get hired at kaiser, you just gotta learn to detect the idiots and move on.. i no longer see a psychiatrist at kaiser. I see one that works in a building that has nothing but offices for people to see psychiatrists. Hes a really good and smart guy and i used to see him as a kid when i kept getting crappy psychiatrists because of my age, and even kaiser failed me with one person so we just went to a guy who we already know is smart and good. But costs 100$ per visit, No insurance would mean id have to spend $1,000 on a months worth of adderall…. I know the type of places bad child psychiatrists tend to work at who would give adderall to a child without a care or second thought, but its not easy for me to get my adderall, so why is it easy for everyone else according to you? You are claiming that professionals are handing out adderall like candy on halloween to anyone who has ADHD symptoms. I don’t see this in real life. You don’t have all the facts. When i read your article i can’t even think at the same time “a professional wrote this” without being like “lol no” i cant in a serious way think a professional of anything would be so uneducated and i bet you just figured out that if you make all these claims, hunt down stories of when a psychiatrist gave someone adderall and they had a bad time on it, to make yourself seem credible, random stories that look like it was some random news article you stumbled on, then you write books of bullshit that the less inteligent population of middle aged people who didnt pay attention to drugs in their youth and are old enough to believe what they read on the internet from someone claiming to be a professional. So you just profit off all this stuff but you know its all crap right? But acting like your doing all this for a good cause and awareness even if thats partly true yet all your info is opinion based not fact, so the whole doing it for a good cause, yeah thats out the window if you can’t provide the true side of things while making people believe what you are selling. Its simple, if you are a good parent who loves your child, odds are is you notice how they behave in the day, you notice if they act different and such, you pay attention to your child. Thats the least we can expect from parents who are having their kids take medication. If the doctor gives your child adderall and you agree to try it, you should notice by doing the basic parent thing to do by watching your kid, how your kid acts and noticing differences. If you see your child acting a way that you aren’t entirely comfortable with, its your job to take them off the drug, its your job to notice if that drug isnt right for your kid because your kid may not be able to tell you if its good or bad because it makes you feel good and people like to feel good. If you can’t be a legit enough parent to make sure your kid is not drugged up and on medication thats making things very complicated. The psychiatrist may be the one who says its okay to be on the drug, but he or she isnt the one giving it to your kid and watching them and how it effects them to see if it works. If you end up with a kid having adderall problems because a psych gave it to them, the blame may fall on the psychiatrist for starting it, but ultimately its your fault as a mom or dad that they are addicted or whatever to adderall by allowing them to take it when you should of seen it was jacking em up, the way a child gets addicted to it is if they increase it without parents knowing, then as a parent you should notice if they took extra because they would be even more amped up. If you don’t pay enough attention to your child especially when taking certain types of medication to the point that they end up with problems, ITS THE PARENTS FAULT. THE PSYCH JUST ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN, IF YOU CANT EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE DRUGS GIVEN TO YOUR CHILDREN AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE SURE THEY DONT GET FUCKED LATER ON THEN YOU SUCK AS A PARENT AND ITS SAD WHAT FATE YOUR CHILD GOT BUT ITS YOUR FAULT FOR BEING A BAD PARENT. Any parent that pays enough attention to their kid on adderall, would not be getting them in a pickle for later in life. So, your stupid book, pointless, it doesnt matter what these doctors give us, its up to us to take the damn drug so if you dont learn what it does, if you notice weird changes you do something. Like you are pathetic. All these people who go to you about how their kid is addicted because a psychiatrist gave them adderall automatically and fucked them up.Well if you are that mom i want to say to you, and to you miss author, parents, its your fault, my mom started motherhood at age 46 and had twins for her first time having kids and i was introduced to medication at a young age and my parents were smart and not dumb and payed enough attention to me to make sure i didnt suffer later on, so if my parents could do that on their first attempt at parenthood, why did you fail? You hurt your own kid, dont blame the doctor for giving it to the kid, blame yourself for not paying attention or being educated. First thing that comes with being a parent to a child who needs to be on medication: Always research the drug they might be put on, look at all side effects, everything about that drug, easy to do in 20-30mins on google. Then you would know what to look for if the drug is wrong for them. So haha you suck its your fault, should of been prepared when you had kids. As for you author, you are pathetic and all this content you offer, no one who is educated on any pill other than advil or whatever would buy into your shit. You try to get money where you can by putting fake info out there and making gullible people believe it and buy your crap. Its until they quote you or recommend your book to someone who knows their shit and knows that you are a moron and tells them that they got it all wrong and explains that the person just stops frequenting your site and the location of your book would be unknown cause they probably left it at the gas station outside their car next to the pump like the trash it is.
Hello again Georgia,
I’m sorry but I find that huge block of text unreadable.
From reading the beginning, it seems that you have been through the mill of misdiagnosis or incomplete diagnosis, poor approaches to treatment, and all the rest. I am sorry for that.
What puzzles me is that, in your previous post, you are still ready to accord respect to any random doctor and you excoriate me, a person who is trying to educate so as to be pro-active when pursuing psychiatric help for oneself or a loved one.
As for me trying to get money, I’m afraid I will disappoint you there, too. This advocacy, for 20 years, has mostly been a labor of love. I have made immense sacrifices financially, psychologically, and physically. Mostly, I hear positive reports; lives are improved, and that’s my goal.
So, please know that your anger is probably a symptom, one that might be helped with proper medication.
Good luck
g
As someone who has taken adderall for 20 years, I can see you are over prescribed in just your writing. Be careful.
I was on Adderall for about 15 yrs. Over that time it changed my personality drastically. I had very little compassion or empathy. I left my husband, had an affair and was self mutilating by cutting myself. I was severally depressed and very angry. I also lost a lot of my memories and I couldn’t remember things I learned in school. It was like it was there but I couldn’t get to it. Luckily my husband never gave up on me and after getting back together I became pregnant. Once I became pregnant I came off the Adderall and it was like I woke up. I dont know how else to explain it other than I woke up. I believe the Lord blessed me with my son and my son saved my life because if I hadn’t gotten pregnant I’d probably still be on Adderall today not knowing that the Adderall was making me “crazy”. I was a completely different person on it. I am still ADHD and I struggle especially with staying on task at work. But I will NEVER go back on any medicine for it. I do the best I can and I’m good with that. Adderall took a lot away from me. I think the long term side effects are terrible. People should know what they are getting into. I had so much nervous energy my mother said it was almost impossible to carry on a conversation with me. She said I’d make everyone nervous with my constant pacing, picking and non stop talking. She said it was like I was on Drugs. I hope this helps someone.
Hi Anna Lynn,
I’m sorry that your story, like many others, underscores my warning.
I would urge you to at some point be open to other medications if you need help managing your ADHD. Especially with a young son.
I recommend that people with ADHD pursuing treatment have a partner to help (a spouse, romantic partner, friend, family member, etc.).
Too many physicians simply don’t get it, and they absolutely fail to monitor progress and setbacks.
I do wonder why your husband never questioned your treatment. Perhaps you weren’t open to it, or he didn’t feel confident.
But everyone absolutely must be self-educated and self-advocate when it comes to ADHD treatment.
best,
Gina
Dear Anna Lynne,
Could it be possible that the dosage of medicine you took in the form of Adderall was not tweaked, adjusted over so many years? You grew up. Chemistry changes. Plus, there have been so many new medicines and better understandings of this Disorder …. Keeping a record of how you feel would give the physician a better guide and so much more information. Just sayin’ ……
Exercise, Mindfulness Meditation and Medicine plus a bit of Therapy go a long way to better health.
Stay open to learning allllllll you can. I am reading SMART but STUCK * Emotions of Teens and Adults w/ADHD by Thomas E. Brown, PhD. at this time.
The more you know, the more you can manage. ** Accually, it seems to help when I place a name on certain behaviors of mine. Calling myself out, in a positive way, makes a difference for me. (No negative thinking allowed. :^)
Good luck.
Nancy
Take care and be good to yourself.
Well, you can’t even give us the right name of the drug you were on. Adderall boosts attention span, enhances and gives better ability to focus, gives you more energy, does not make you depressed at all, not one thing in adderall causes depression, personality changes, lack of empathy, or anything you described. There is nothing in the drug that causes these things, it helps memory, it helps you focus on things you learned like things in school, there is no way that adderall could of possibly done that to you. Its pretty much impossible. Actually, here is how adderall can bring that upon someone but its not the adderalls fault. If you took a high dose to start with and self medicated and abused the drug to the point your system was used to high doses so lower doses didnt cut it, created a dependency for it by abusing it, and then took so much of it that you were so doped up you couldnt be happy and your personality changed…. but what i honestly think, is that you are against adderall usage, you think its a bad drug, so you maybe had some bad abuse experience with it that doesn’t stand out as much or maybe you were never on it, and you made up some story to feel important or like you are supporting the anti adderall cause. Because everything you listed as a problem because of adderall, the drug itself does not contain anything to cause that to happen to you unless you abused the shit out of it. Ive never seen anyone have an experience like that on adderall, even when you look up every side effect and even then with every negative side effect it wont have that effect on someone. My dads a specialist in drugs (illegal and medicine) i asked him if its possible adderall can do that to someone and he laughed and said no. It is a stimulant, a upper, it doesn’t bring you down unless you took too much and its wearing off then you are like drugged and groggy and dont wanna move. So either you never took it, you got your drugs mixed up, but you seem pretty confident its adderall…. or you abused the shit out of it and want to pretend to be a victim by acting like its not your fault. It seems like you were on a anti depressant that is a generic kind sometimes prescribed to test out antidepressants on you and if you experience a certain change then you are likely sensitve to the part of the drug that gave you that effect. Like basic anti depressants that are used for simple shit, can remove a lot of your feelings, emotions, you may not care about much you pretty much have that experience. But the thing is, that means that you could be sensitve to antidepressants that have a side effect that can make you feel numb and like you have no emotions. But thats when you go and see your doctor and get something else, you do that BEFORE you have an affair and leave your husband. Honestly if some of your story rings true about what you lost and shit, honestly i cant feel sorry for you because it honestly is very black and white when it comes to taking meds. If you feel worse or start having problems like that you go and get off the drug, if you weren’t smart enough to figure out there are more than one type of medicine and you are on one that isnt helping and you didnt change it or do something about it before you fucked your life up? thats your fault. Its very black and white. I was just on a anti psychotic that fucked with a lot of my brain, hormones and whatnot, i dont like it when im on something that can change so much in my body and affect me so weirdly so i didnt even tell my doctor i just stopped taking it and use weed to sleep instead of that pill. No way im going to suffer any more than i have to because of a pill i clearly don’t need and is not good, coming off it is crazy too, but i just turned 23 and i know better than to let a drug do that. You should of known better and educated yourself and prepaired yourself properly before deciding to take medication. The doctor isn’t always going to be the best source either, you need to take it in your own hands, its your life and you let yours get fucked up and you blame it on a drug that can’t even do that to you without you hardcore abusing it. So if you abused the shit out of it, you are an idiot, its your fault, if you weren’t smart enough to get on something that works before you ruin your life, its your fault. Dont blame the drugs or the doctor lol some people are too stupid to be taking medicine in the first place, hey author lady, i bet you could make a lot more money and do some actual good by writing books and articles about how to make sure you are ready to take on the responsibility of taking medication. Because clearly people are too stupid to be on it. like this lady or man. Educate these people instead of give them BS about a drug you aren’t educated in. Instead of make money with lies and crap, do good. Its the same thing as don’t drive a car until you are prepared to deal with the consequenses and are capable of handling situations that can be deadly or dangerous on the road by knowing signs, and shit, you dont go driving like everyone else when you realize you need a car. You dont go controlling a deadly big vehicle without knowing what to do or how to handle things. Same with taking meds. If you cant be a grown up and you are young enough, have your parents help. Its your fault. Stop trying to play the victim over a fake story or a story hiding the fact you abused adderall. Clearly adderall didnt do this to you and whatever did if it even did you weren’t smart enough or ready enough to handle the responsibility so you suffered, you got what you got because thats what you did to yourself, go find the drug responsible, and find a website about it and share your story that you still arent the victim in because no one is a victim of being prescribed something and choosing to stay on it to the point it fucks your life up.
Again, Georgia. You are operating on some very limited information.
And, until you actually read my book, you are seriously out of line to condemn it.
If you can’t read a blog post with comprehension, though, I’m not sure what you’d get out of a 400-page book.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
Now, please go self-medicate elsewhere. Political forums are always a good option. 🙂
g
What was getting off like? Cold Turkey? How long did you feel shity for? What dose were you on
I stopped taking Adderall one month ago after being on it the past four years (20 mg per day). It was prescribed to help with fatigue resulting from what turned out to be inadequate treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. During this time, I suffered from brain numbing anxiety that made me fearful, antisocial, and highly agitated. Fortunately, in the last six months, I finally received proper care and treatment for the sleep apnea. However this sleep disorder can cause long lasting activation of the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) that requires a fairly long treatment time for it to dissipate. Knowing this, I started to realize that Adderall was the primary cause of the anxiety since it is a strong nervous system stimulant, so I stopped taking it. And just like Anna Lynn, I woke up and felt like my old self; grateful and happy to live life to its fullest, all happening within two weeks after the last day of taking Adderall. There’s a lot more to the story, but essentially I suffered greatly for the past twelve years because my initial symptoms and complications of insomnia were considered a sign of mental illness by my doctors, one of which convinced me that I did not have sleep apnea because I was not overweight or obese.
Dear Girardo,
I’m aghast at your story. Truly, that is a horrible thing to have endured. I’m sorry that happened to you.
I wish it were the first time I’ve heard such a story.
That’s great that you are feeling yourself again.
I have devoted a HUGE amount of study and work to the sleep module of my online training (coming soon). Most of what the “sleep specialists” say it wrong, such as obstructive sleep apnea even being obstructve.
The research is fascinating.
People with ADHD are more likely to also have sleep apnea. Treating their apnea is helpful, but it won’t also treat their ADHD.
But there are people without ADHD who also can have sleep apnea, based on neurobiological factors.
Such complexity….must be respected.
take care,
g
Hi Gina, I am in my forties and knew I was probably ADHD for a while but never sought a diag until 2 of my sons were diagnosed with ADHD. Their symptoms were mine growing up. After going through the process with my psych, which took a long time, my family doc and I decided to try Adderall. Started on 20 and upped it to 30 after a month. I go for second checkup in a few days. So, the reason I am writing. I want your book, and may get the digital copy in order to read before I see him. I believe he is good and I trust him. He did mention Vyvanse is s good option if adderral did not work.
You mention several times that things can go bad a few months in on adderall. Can you go into detail some on that? I also have been dissapointed that the ‘rocket booster on my butt’ feeling has gone. It has caused me to spend hours and hours in research trying to figure out what this drug does and what can I do to get the most out of the motivation and focus I get. Also really scared now after reading what can go wrong. I don’t want to increase the dose because I have a feeling the next time I see the doc, I will need a higher dose again. I don’t want to go down that path. I am thinking about asking my doc to switch me to Vyvanse. I just have so many questions and it is all a bit confusing. Will Vyvanse also wear off in time as Adderrol seems to? What a crazy situation to be in. Makes me kinda wish I had never started these meds. But I now know they really do help, and my job, which I love, demands that I spend hours of focused time putting forth my best.
Any recommendations?
Hey Tim,
I definitely don’t want to discourage you! I want to EMPOWER you and help you achieve long-lasting positive effects from medication.
I see so many men in my Palo Alto group, working high-pressure jobs in high tech or law firms, who keep upping the Adderall dose to “keep up” with work. Yet, they are highly inefficient at work.
The main trouble with Adderall is this: It trains you to “know the medication is working” by feel alone. Not by objective evidence. It also lets you think you can get by without the supportive strategies and habits. Huge mistake.
You should have a trial on a methylphenidate medication, just to see if you might do better on that class of stimulant.
If that doesn’t work, many (but not all) people who respond well to Adderall do better on Vyvanse. It’s a longer lasting, smoother-delivery.
While still in the amphetamine class, Vyvanse is chemically different than Adderall. Adderall is four mixed-amphetamine sales. Vyvanse is dexedrine, in a novel, extended-release delivery system.
Just remember…the point of ADHD treatment is to help you better manage and balance your life — not to take a “performance” drug.
I do offer telephone consultations. Just this week, I added some time slots — http://wp.me/P5Ilzb-1O5
Good luck! Keep going. This is part of the process, some trial and error.
g
Gina,
Thank you for this post and all your helpful insight on the subject.
I am a wife who is desperately looking for some answers about whats going on with my husband. He has been on Adderall about 4 years now… slowing increasing the dose because he would “run out each month” from taking extra. I’d say for 3 years there really hasn’t been much issue to it.
But we are soon going to have a second baby and he has had a lot of stress in trying to find a career that fits him. He has CHANGED the past few months. And it even escalated to me getting him to go to the hospital with me a few weekends ago because he was in a manic state (has never beem diagnosed bi polar, just ADD by his sorry excuse of a doctor) he was making no sense what so ever, seemed to think he was greater than anyone in the world, was convinced he’d come into a lot of money (delusional, hallucinating) they sent him off to a psychiatric hospital for three days where they for the most part said he seemed fine. It was a poor facility and the only psychiatrist he saw was over a computer monitor.
They disgnosed him bi polar 1 and highly recommend he stop adderall. He wasn’t having that. Since then hes been in a rollercoaster of being totally normal to seeming “manic” and talking pretty crazy. He is INSANELY intelligent on top of all of this so he talks way above everyones head and seems to make barely any sense most of the time.
My question is….. I’m lost at what to do. He’s since seen a therapist (because I couldn’t get him into a psychiatrist for over a month) and she only heard his side of the story (he wouldn’t let me go) and she told him he should stay on adderall of its helping him. I’m so frustrated at the mixture of opinions of whats going on with him, different diagnoses and waking up unsure of what form of my husband Ill get that day. Any suggestions? I’m so desperate here.
Hi Lyndsey,
This is serious. Especially with a baby on the way.
It’s time for you to seriously educate yourself on ADHD treatment (which is probably why you visited my blog) and take the bull by the horns. The future of your family and the welfare of your children, not to mention yourself and your husband, depends on it.
Have you read my book? If not, you need to read it right now. If not sooner.
http://amzn.to/2qL2wwy
It sounds like he is seriously abusing the Adderall, probably getting little sleep, and maybe abusing caffeine, too.
In some people, Adderall can trigger this mania-like behavior, especially if they are taking high doses. Further complications set in when they take generics.
In my book, you’ll learn that some therapists can make a bad situation worse. It sounds like that therapist is one of them.
You can no longer depend on your husband’s efforts to deal with prescribing physicians and quack therapists. You must own your power and learn about ADHD treatment.
I offer telephone consultations and will soon open some time on my calendar. If you are interested, please be sure to subscribe to my blog to be notified when that happens.
best,
Gina
I understand what ur going thru my fiancé is the same and he’s been taking it off and on for 5 years. I’ve learned different coping things over the years and I’ve learned different things you can do to try to help him. Try reaching out to the doctor your self. The only bad thing about this is if your husband finds out that you reached out to his doctor without his knowledge, you may get blowback from that if there’s a way that you could speak to his doctor without him, knowing you could explain to his doctor how he acts when he’s on the medication. It’s better to try to get him off the medication earlier than later the longer he’s on the medication the more he’s gonna think he needs it to function and the worse the side effects will get my fiancé has been on it for five years on and off now and he now experiences irritability anytime he’s around me or anytime. I speak anger he’s verbally abusive he throws things he thinks everybody is after him and it’s gotten so bad that he thinks that I cheat on him and I can never convince him that I don’t until he runs out of his medication and realizes that I am a faithful person but once he takes the medication again, he starts accusing me again it got so bad that he was getting into physical altercations with strangers on the street because he thought I knew them and was cheating with them I just had a baby four months ago, and he even said to me last night that I was sleep, making men in through our window and cheating on him with our daughter in the room he found the Father’s Day card. I wrote to him and ripped it up he became somebody I didn’t know he thought it was so real that I was cheating on him that he began talking to other women online in a sexual manner because he said he wanted to get even with me so trust me get your husband off the medication as soon as you can before it gets to the point where I am good luck and stay strong
I’m 17, and Adderall used to cause Anger, Irritation, Rage, Depression, and all the other negative symptoms for me until I experimented with it. Upon experimenting with it, I discovered the problem for me. I wasn’t getting enough sleep, and I wasn’t eating an actual nutritious breakfast before taking it and also, Hydration is 100% important when taking it. I fixed the three of those and now I no longer have those negative symptoms, just the positive side to Adderall. I’m not saying it will work for everyone, but it will definitely improve some of the user’s experience with it.
HI Sway,
Excellent points! Thanks for writing.
I make those same points myself, in presentations. You’re very smart to figure that out!
It seems that Adderall can be a setup for those problems — not getting enough sleep, not eating breakfast, insufficient hydration — because it can create a kind of monofocus that thwarts balance.
Some people will do best on Adderall, but when it’s the first medication a person has tried, after a lifetime of struggling with ADHD…the extra “boost” it gives can be almost intoxicating. They want to “keep going” — not eat, not sleep, etc.
Medication should help provide life balance, not simply attach a hyper-focusing booster rock on one’s behind. 🙂
thanks,
g
Thankfully I have never really had the Anger side effect or it change my personality, I did notice that I would get anxiety a lot but that eased a lot when I ate proper and slept properly as well.
Hi Collin,
Yes, sleep deficits and poor diet tend to exacerbate adverse reactions.
As I mentioned, for some people Adderall might be the best choice.
The problem is that too many MDs try Adderall first.
cheers,
g
Adderall ruined my life!
It started out great. I could have an argument without feeling emotional.I was commended at work and everything was organized at home. I was on time to appointments and work. Then slowly everything went downhill.
I was a narcissist, then went into a depressive state, then uprooted my entire life to “live in the moment” and looked to sexual encounters to make myself have the confidence I never had.
Every heartfelt moral and feeling I had was gone! Except for my anxiety.
I went to a heart doctor from the heart palpatations, shortness of breath, and that dying feeling after eating. I had every medical condition known to man but I couldn’t have been happier! I just had to eliminate all stresses of life…work husband kids tying me down…you know all the important stuff…
I was always the responsible one and I couldn’t care less about anything other then what I wanted at that moment! Id struggle with depression when I would feel the meds wear off sometimes and be bitter for my past relationships making me this way…I left my husband of 8 years to live like I was 20.
I would speed down streets just for the thrill and music came alive again. Life mattered so much more because i was free and didn’t care about anyone! Even the people I used to feel better.
I got stage 3 precancer and then my daughter got lice and the psychosis set in…I then I thought I had diseases from the 3 men I’d slept with 2 with no condom just so I could “live in the moment.” I went from sexually transmitted diseases to worms and scabies…
It didn’t matter how much doctors told me I didn’t have these I was going to prove them wrong! I’d tape my skin to catch things crawling and look through my feces to prove everyone wrong I was not crazy…Ive always been normal!!!
I didn’t want anyone around me I didn’t have time for people only time to research and prove people wrong! They almost took my kid away before I could admit to myself that it was my medication. Its taken me a long time to even somewhat improve my life…to prove to the people that didn’t know me my whole life that I was not crazy!!!
My husband and he put me through a lot considering what i did to him I took everything he threw at me. I deserved it. There were a couple of times i just couldnt take the mental beatings…to listen to what i had done one more time…I almost killed myself. I had plans when it wasnt in the moment to insure they would be left with money and i could help people realize how strong this medication is through my death. Please get help if you are addicted! Every moral boundary ive ever had has been broken and the way back is lonely if youve gone too far!
I also had suicide attempts on adderall after about a year of being on it…over 15 dollars taken off my check due to being late because the psychosis kept me up at night…i failed to mention its been 2 years and im severely depressed at times due to all of the things that i would have NEVER done. And the man that is with me knows that deep down but will never understand. I loved him before the medication and after but loved nobody during. And now I still struggle with my add even worse and cant say that ive never or would never because I did. Adderall was the perfect drug until it ruined me. Please watch closely to anyone that is on this medication…my counselor couldnt even figure out that it was my medication! She just told me to buy plants for my house lol
Hi Katie,
Wow! Buy plants for your house! Sure, that will fix an Adderall=-induced semi-psychosis. Yikes.
I’m sorry this happened to you, but I am grateful that you’ve told your story here. I hope others will learn from it.
g
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Why would you even recommend that with confidence? You don’t know much about adderall at all you are not a professional, you are not a medical professional you arent a drug specialist so shut up and stop acting like you know things so you have purpose in your life. You make women look bad, men see us with our books we make about drugs that we describe to people in the most over dramatic way (just like dumb females do) and hold onto it with pride and probably say things that are very wrong but said as if its true and with confidence. Like a true moron. The fact you call it madderall? LMAO you are such a sorry excuse for a blogger, i wish there was a restriction on what type of people can have certain types of blogs online, seperating people like you from the medical stuff….
Hello Georgia,
I am sorry that you are unable to understand the nuance that I have tried to present here.
I won’t entirely accept the blame for being unclear. This is not a black and white topic and one must be able to navigate complexity.
Could it possibly be that you are addicted to Adderall? Or that it’s not working well for you but you like the buzz? Because I suspect that a better medication approach would help you to read with this post with comprehension—and less self-medicating with anger and attacks.
Cheers,
g
Gina,
You are doing great and many people appreciate you and the research and the dedication to your husband that you have done. To me, reading Georgia’s posts, it appears that she is off-balance on her Adderall, or has taken too much. I would not give it too much thought. My family doctor has to know and treat so many things, and ADHD is something that he knows, but has not researched in depth. I speak with him often about it, and much of my knowledge and research has started with you. There is not a perfect formula that fits all people, as you are well aware. My doc just told me the other day that he finished another research book on ADHD and is planning to read yours next. He thinks the more info he has, the better.
So thank again for everything that you do, and I agree with you that simply blocking Georgia’s further comments is the wisest thing to do.
Tim
Thanks so much, Tim. I appreciate your support! <3
g
Gina,
First and foremost, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and I’m sure somewhere in my brain.
I started taking Adderall about a year ago after being diagnosed with ADD or ADHD by an NP. She also said it would help me stay awake during the day so that i could finally feel tired at bedtime, and help with my depression. Wow. Sounds great right? So, she got to the diagnosis in a super fast way. She asked me like 5 questions that I answered yes to each of. For practical reasons, know I have Bipolar 2, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and clinical depression.
Not all of those diagnosis came at one time which makes me look back over almost 15 years of seeing random psychiatrists, psychologists, MD’s, and eventually CNPs and company due to insurance restrictions. I now think “omg, what do I ACTUALLY have, and who am I?” I seriously don’t even know the real me bc of all the meds and what I feel was disinformation.
This site and if course you- have again brought ne to a cross roads. I’ve read things like this about adderall previously during endless (what I call) research. It’s really just a waste of time in the end bc I realize I’m just trying to justify my prescription. That’s adderall for ya. It’s manipulative, addictive, and toxic i think. In the beginning, it made me feel like superwoman. I was finally in a good mood, had energy, a libido, was being social, and just getting shit done. None of that was ever without negative side effects that I at the time decided to deal with bc well, that’s what I’ve always done. I noticed myself feeling a need to be in it, a longing as if it were a love affair. Over the course of time I developed high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, worsening anxiety and eventually (yup) anger, worsening depression, suicidal ideation, self mutilation, severe mood swings, shit self esteem, zero appetite leading to malnutrition and physical sickness, etc… I’m worse off now than ever. I feel as though i have dementia now which sucks, I’m so foggy that I stare off for periods of time that don’t make sense. When asked what I’m doing i reply with “idk”. That’s concerning to the only person i trust to help me, my partner. That’s where I am now. Still on it and lost as to what to do now. The adderall says ‘love me! Stay with me! I’ll give you more energy and weight loss, including a good mood SOMETIMES’. Here I am….surrounded by incompetent prescribers who basically let me decide what I take and how often. I’m asked “so, how are things?” If I answer “good, I’m good”, my scripts get sent in and there I am for 2 or 3 months. I can’t find a single solitary doctor that 1-has time for me, 2- takes my insurance and 3- knows anything about medicine. Even if I want to pay cash, I can’t because my insurance says “no you’re not allowed”. What a mess our system is. I want to come off of it but that means my prescriber to agree to Vysvance, come off adderall slowly, and somehow maintain my mood. At the same time, do I even want anything for ADD/ADHD? Idk!
Awaiting another appeal hearing for SSI since i haven’t worked since 2009 due to my anxiety and depression, I’m over here feeling worse. I want more for myself than this. Adderall has fucked me up. Thank you for warning people, and let my unorganized story serve as a cautionary tale. Pills don’t solve everything. Be careful, and stay informed because in the end, it’s only you sitting with you. It could potentially be very bad. Adderall helps people sure, but idk if it should even be an option for treatment. Please, try other meds first. This is a love affair that no one can afford in every aspect of your life. I’ve lost a lot. It’s not worth it. Thanks Gina.
-G
Dear Gacia,
I really appreciate your writing to let me (and readers) know that this is a valid caution I am making.
I hope you figure out how to manage the transition. The good news is that stimulants leave the system fairly quickly…and enter quickly, too. So, if you do decide to try Vyvanse, maybe it won’t be an extremely abrupt change.
With my local Adult ADHD group, we joke that the best doc is the one who will listen to us. Truly, if you can find that…if you can find a doc who will listen to you (and maybe read the medication chapter in my book), you will be better off than most people seeking medical help for ADHD. Sorry to say.
Yes, our “system” is a mess. But guess what, the U.S. still has the best ADHD treatment in the world. Many countries, even those (especially those) with national single-payer systems, don’t even treat Adult ADHD.
I hope you can read my first book’s chapter on medication. It will really help to ground you in how it should go. And be sure to solicit your partner’s help. Teamwork is best!
best of luck to you!
And again, thanks so much!
g
Hello Georgia,
It sounds like you have been through a lot, and you found some relief with medication. There is so much more to your story though. It’s not just about the medication for you. You talked about depression and a deep desire to feel connected to others and appreciated.
I can see that you are in a chaotic place right now; I’ve been there too many times. If you need to talk, there are support groups. If not, I’m around as well. Good luck!
Fight that good fight.
Angelo
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Hi Gina, you seem very active here.
I was looking to find out if losing the emotional ups and downs were common when taking amphetamines.
I recently started taking phentermine for weight loss due to my high cholesterol and noticed better functioning in my daily life. I take it from 7am and it wears off by 5pm. I was being prescribed strattera and would fall asleep at work by 3pm. Strattera did not help with my emotional excitability (happy, anxious, sad, angry) but did help with inattention. I can say that the low dose phentermine is much better than the adderall from my childhood. With the phentermine, I no longer struggle with insomnia. Weekends and weeknights with my parents left them with only negative memories of me. Maybe it should be considered that the anger mentioned in this page is a result of high doses and heavy withdrawls.
Hi Beatris,
Yes, Strattera isn’t widely known for treating the full range of ADHD symptoms. I’m surprised neither that you had that effect nor that you’re experiencing positive effects from the phentermine.
I don’t know much about that medication. But I do know that untreated ADHD is associated with greater risk of obesity, and stimulants can often help not just with general ADHD symptoms but also with the weight issues. Here’s a blog post about some research in that area:
https://adhdrollercoaster.org/adhd-news-and-research/adhd-and-obesity/‘
You wrote: “Maybe it should be considered that the anger mentioned in this page is a result of high doses and heavy withdrawls.”
No doubt that is true in some cases. But, in many others, it is the Adderall itself that can create or exacerbate mood issues and irritability/anger. That’s why I wrote about it. It’s a highly problematic choice, one I would relegate to trying after other, smoother delivery systems have been tried.
For other readers who might be curious about Phentermine, here is some info from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phentermine
Phentermine has some similarity in its pharmacodynamics with its parent compound, amphetamine, as they both are TAAR1 agonists,[8] where the activation of TAAR1 in monoamine neurons facilitates the efflux or, release into the synapse, of these neurochemicals; at clinically relevant doses, phentermine primarily acts as a releasing agent of norepinephrine in neurons, although, to a lesser extent, it releases dopamine and serotonin into synapses as well.[9]
Phentermine may also trigger the release of monoamines from VMAT2, which is a common pharmacodynamic effect among substituted amphetamines. The primary mechanism of phentermine’s action in treating obesity is the reduction of hunger perception, which is a cognitive process mediated primarily through several nuclei within the hypothalamus (in particular, the lateral hypothalamic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, and ventromedial nucleus). Outside the brain, phentermine releases norepinephrine and epinephrine – also known as noradrenaline and adrenaline respectively – causing fat cells to break down stored fat as well.
best,
g
I’m curious to know now if maybe my aggression at home in high school was because of the Adderall. I manage my ADHD very well but still had issues with controlling my emotional responses and multiple psychiatric evaluations told me I had bipolar “Rapid Cycling”. Taking the medications they prescribed made me so much worse. Suicide, violence, drugs, and just general worsening of my adhd symptoms. With that in mind, I have been refused stimulant medication because they want to treat the “emotional instability first.” Would you recommend any ADHD medications that I can recommend to them?
Hi Beatris,
Yes, it’s entirely possible that Adderall was worsening ADHD-related emotional dysregulation. Hence my post. 😉
I’ve known people with ADHD who showed no signs of bipolar before taking Adderall. But once they started Adderall, they became more aggressive and “manic” (milder than bipolar). And THEN the psychiatrist claimed that the Adderall “unmasked” bipolar. Next stop: Another medication to treat bipolar!
Nonsense.
Of course it is possible that the clinicians you saw were right: You might also have “bipolar rapid cycling.” But it is equally possible that those clinicians mistook ADHD-related emotional dysregulation for bipolar. It used to happen a LOT. It still happens more than is acceptable.
Your clinicians need more than a stimulant medication recommended to them (for you). They need some education on the emotional dysregulation aspect of ADHD.
ADHD is a common “traveling companion” for depression, bipolar, and other conditions, any of which could be compounding what is called DESR (deficient emotional self-regulation). To treat it comprehensively requires an understanding of all these conditions.
Here’s one paper that might prove helpful:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23413201
I hope this helps.
g
Wow I am getting this book. I need to find out whatever my doctors not telling me. At times in college I usually can’t sit still or focus and then a lot of social anxiety to top it off. I live with bipolar 1 and I get adderall just to have enough energy to do my job. I do have reason to believe I have adult ADHD and my providers aren’t telling you. But in all honesty this medicine makes me
A. Not hungry
B. Lack of sleep
C. Hypomanic and
D. The general sense that I am straight up going crazy
E. Fast heart rate
F. Elevated body temperature
I am an elementary school teacher with 6 medical certificates in medicine and I analyzed this pill to the point I thought I was losing sanity. I need more clarity and other drug treatments because sometimes I just feel like I’m on auto pilot
Hi Mark,
Oh yes, if you’re taking Adderall and it’s not triggering mania, are you sure that you have bipolar disorder? Or, is that stabilized with another Rx?
There are definitely other, less problematic options for you.
Please do read my book, and see if the various broad strokes and small nuances I describe make sense for you. You wouldn’t be the first person I met whose ADHD was misdiagnosed as bipolar. Or who has both.
I can’t remember the number, but people with bipolar have a fairly high risk for also having ADHD. Not so in the other direction (people with ADHd also having bipolar).
You deserve better medical options. Truly!
Good luck!
g
If Mark has Bipolar 1 and is struggling with energy, why adderall? Why not introductory doses of neurontin?? Low dose neurontin is very effective for anxiety and fatigue for my bipolar friends Zach & Elisabeth. Ask your psychiatrist about a 1 week inpatient stay to start a new medication.
What about Focalin???? will this drug work for me? Adderall did not. I was getting angry in the evening. Finally figured it out and talk to my doctor about it.
Hi Deb,
Medically treating ADHD is not simple. There’s nothing “slam dunk” about it.
When you say Adderall “did not work for you,” that really means little. The prescribing physician should use whatever problems you report as “data” to drive the next decision.
For example, it sounds like you might have been rebounding. You said you were getting angry in the evening, but you don’t mention how it was the rest of the time. Adderall leaves the system quickly, instead of tapering off like Concerta or Vyvanse.
But much also depends on the class of stimulant.
My book’s chapters doesn’t explain everything about ADHD medications, but it explains a lot. I encourage you to read them.
Good luck,
g
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We lost our home five years ago and went through two bankruptcies, mostly as the result of my husband’s ADD, multiple medical bills, and the downturn in the economy. However, we were finally recovering, he was doing well with job contacts, therapy, etc. when he was prescribed Mirapex for RLS and later Aderrall. He was fired twice and now his cognitive abilities are all but destroyed. So we’ve lost everything again, I had to actually leave him to qualify for a small state old age pension and Medicaid, and was homeless for most of this year (and I have multiple health problems). I was once a teacher and editor but now barely recognize myself.
My husband started showing signs of amnesia and dementia after being on the Mirapex, which I now know to be a horrible drug, especially for someone with ADD. The Adderall has turned him into a zombie, and the neurologist yanked him off the Mirapex cold turkey. He was a senior level IT professional before. Now he can’t remember to do anything, much less do any work in his profession of thirty years. He’s living in a
homeless shelter but can only stay there for through December. Last week, he scared me to death by leaving the ER (after his PC failed for the third time to refill his Adderall on time) and walking for three miles back to the shelter in just
shorts and a t-shirt, late at night, in Colorado. His Medicaid taxi never showed up and he said all he could think of was finding his bed.
Our marriage was shaky before because of all the chaos caused by the ADD, but we were trying. Now our lives are destroyed. It’s beyond me that I can’t find a single law firm to take on his case while our disability lawyer tries frantically to get him SSDI. If it’s not approved soon, he’ll be on the streets. I’m in a bed bug-infested room which doesn’t allow but one person.
We once had a solid, middle-class home, friends and family – a life. These drugs aren’t candy. At over sixty, we feel pretty hopeless. Even our church has shunned us – they don’t “believe in ADHD.”
Please keep warning people about these medications.
Dear Jean,
I’m horrified at your story, and extend my condolences.’
It is very tricky to be an advocate who promotes the judicious use of medication for ADHD while still warning people that too many physicians do not know what they’re doing.
I wish you all the best in finding support during this difficult time.
best,
g
My son takes this and his becomes angry but we have tried the others with more depressive issues happening. I wish they made a combo type med. The Dr he sees. Just writes scripts he needs a new Dr. Just hard to find in my area who takes our insurance.
Hi Kim,
Most people with ADHD have a co-existing condition. That condition needs to be treated as well, especially if it something like anxiety/depression (“serotonin issues”), because otherwise those are exacerbated by the stimulants.
This is RULE 1 of ADHD treatment, but ask me how many prescribing physicians understand this. So frustrating.
Please read up and become pro-active. Don’t accept this slipshod treatment for your child.
best,
g
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This site has been very helpful. I’ve been searching the internet since my husband was diagnosed with ADHD, and put on Adderall XR. He has not been himself! I have searched for behavior changes due to Adderall, but the side effects listed, are generic. It doesn’t seem that studies have been done on adults, or they are not available. He feels the medication is helping him with his focus, and keeping him on track with his tasks. But he doesn’t see what we (his family) sees. Before he takes his pill in the am, he is usually agitated, angry, especially if something isn’t going his way. Once he takes his pill, within an hour, he’s a totally different person! At night, when the med is wearing off, he stays up until 2 or 3 in the morning, sometimes only getting 4 or 5 hours of sleep. I’m not really sure what to do! He’s had his medication adjusted several times, and he feels it is working for him. I have told him I want to go to the dr. with him, but he makes them his apts when I am working.
Hi Kathy,
Unfortunately, the standard of care for adult ADHD is pretty bad. In fact, that was a major motivator for me in writing my book.
I encourage you to read my book, particularly it’s chapters on medication. I wrote them to educate consumers, so they can educate their physicians. 🙂
Here is the link to purchase the book on Amazon, where it’s available in paperback and audio. It’s also available at Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981548709/tag=wwwginaperaco-20
Good luck!
g
Excellent article, Gina. I wholeheartedly agreed that patient’s willingness to think their physician knows and, and physicians throwing the same medication at everyone to see what works is a plague within our medical system. It’s also one reason the third leading cause of death in the U.S. is medical treatment, a great deal of which is due to side effects of prescription drugs. I commend you on your mission!
Thanks so much, Molly.
I know that many MDs are hamstrung by insurance reimbursements. Many are doing the best they can in a difficult situation.
But when I see high-priced private-pay docs pulling some of these stunts, it’s really unforgivable. Patients are not abstractions; real lives are at stake.
tx
g
I’ve never suffered from ADD/ADHD, but I’ve experienced similar frustration with doctors taking the same approach to treating fibromyalgia. It’s wonderful that you’ve taken the time to present this information in such depth. I’m passing this link on to a friend who needs this info so she can start having a better conversation with her doctor.
Thank you, Lynn. Yes, there is a similar world of confusion around treating fibromyalgia. I’m fully, and personally, aware of that!
best,
g
Thank you Gina for your followup. Crossing my fingers it all works out….thinking positive thoughts! I like the Mp3 audio book idea.
I don’t know where to start, thank god that I found your page! Gina and Betsy you are 2 wonderful ladies. I have been going online for weeks, gathering data and learning. Learning lots and lots. What a difficult subject to wrap your arms around, considering everyone is different and responds different. My dear BFF needs help and won’t help herself at the moment, so I want to understand what I am dealing with. I do not want to miss inform her, but encourage her to seek help from a professional. I see many of the signs on this page and in the comments posted. Maybe I will buy your book and give it to her? Wonder if she will read though. She is on Adderall and I think it is high time to switch.
Hi Linda — There are so many other options now, it makes no sense not to try something else. At least just to see.
Good luck to your friend!
g
Hi Linda,
As I write in this piece, Adderall might be the best, or maybe a good, choice for a minority of people with ADHD. For the vast others, in my 16 years of observation and talking with 1,000s of people with ADHD and their partners, it can be very problematic.
My book does talk about the difference between stimulant classes, and how the delivery system (the way the medication is delivered into the body) can make a difference. If you think she won’t read it, it’s available on audiobook — CDs or Mp3 download:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0199790558/tag=wwwginaperaco-20
Or, you could purchase the book and photocopy the pages on medication, highlight portions, and give to her, with a copy for her MD.
It’s very difficult trying to help someone when the physicians are failing them. But it’s possible.
She’s lucky to have you as a friend.
Good luck,
g
Hi Gina, I’m going to order your book.
But a quick question: you seem to advocate that people who have good effect from Adderall might do better with Vyvanse, (fewer side effects). I’m on Concerta (36mg) and Adderall (10mg), and have better effects with the combo compared to just one or the other.
Would Vyvanse give me less than what I get now? I mean, would I lose the benefits of the Concerta?. I understand it’s a difficult and individual question, but perhaps you have a general answer?
Hi Peter,
Yes, I do suggest that people who seem to get a good effect from Adderall might want to try Vyvanse.
It is not the same medication. Adderall is mixed amphetamine salts. Vyvanse is Dexedrine in a non-abusable “pro-drug” delivery system.
But they are both amphetamine class stimulants. Vyvanse brings the benefit of a longer, smoother sustained-release — rather than the roller coaster of immediate-release Adderall (even Adderall XR is still roller coasterish).
And yes, to your other question. In Ye Olden Days, when medication choices were very few (i.e. about 4-5), some enterprising prescribers would try a combination of each class stimulant to try for the best response.
I still suggest it if one has a physician who understands why this might be helpful and has an accommodating insurance pharmacy benefit. Because neurogenetics being what they are, some people have a positive response to both classes but with neither being enough to take them to the finish line.
I’ve always found it problematic, though, to take Vyvanse for daytime and follow it with a “booster” of Adderall. It’s commonly done but I haven’t heard that many great results from it. They are two different medications with different mechanisms of action.
If I were you, I’d start simply in giving Vyvanse a trial. Without the Concerta.
Not everyone has the time for this kind of experimentation. They need to be “on” every day. If you have some time, though, it might be worth it. And it might take a few days to gauge the full effect.
I hope this helps,
Gina
YES! BUY her the book and even one for yourself. Start a book club. Read a chapter. Discuss it. See if it resonates to her. Rather than proclaiming this ADHD is her issue. Write down what you have observed. Does it match up with anything in the book?
Good luck! I have both of Books written by Gina. I also sent one to the office of my son’s therapist.
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy, as always. <3
I’ve been in college for about 8 and a half years, and for most of that time, especially in recent years, I’ve dodged/avoided reading the classroom material for a variety of reasons, I had severe and chronic procrastination problems in which my mind wouldn’t think clearly until by the time I was nearing a deadline, I had severe and chronic problems with time management, I’d have mood swings, I’d be aggressive at times, etc. About 2 months ago, I went online and checked the symptoms and it matched up with ADHD almost perfectly. I wrote a list of every symptom that I’d experienced and it had AT LEAST 20 ADHD symptoms on there.
I went to a psychiatrist and she diagnosed me with 1) paranoia (because I felt like government snipers were outside of my window-to my credit, it wasn’t a far-fetched notion given that the US government has assassinated and murdered people before, including recently) and 2) “mild” ADHD. She said that I had mild ADHD and that my case was a rare case because usually symptoms of ADHD would be more apparent and noticeable at earlier ages, like in elementary school, middle school etc., which in general I didn’t notice or observe. My primary reason for going to a psychiatrist was because I wanted Adderall, to deal with my inability to focus/concentrate on my school work (that I was finishing up for college) and internship work (that I was also doing for college) and also, to considerably diminish my procrastinating ways, and a variety of other reasons.
Ultimately, she prescribed me Guanfacine, which is a generic Tenex. It’s meant for ADHD, but also to treat high blood pressure. She prescribed it for my anxiety, my quick temper (ADHD), and overall, to regulate my emotions and behavior, to calm me down. It’s been about 6 days and I haven’t noticed anything yet, but some dizziness (a side effect). Still, I’m a little discouraged and frustrated at the fact that I went in there for Adderall to address my lack of focus/concentration, procrastination, poor listening skills, easily distracted, utterly disorganized, unable to think clearly and thoughtfully-especially on the spot, etc. All of these and more, are the reasons why I went to see a psychiatrist, instead, I feel like I was given medicine for something that wouldn’t effectively take care and address my main issues/ailments.
I understand your frustration, but I can also understand the physician’s actions. Too often, patients who go in asking for Adderall are what is called “drug seekers.” That’s because Adderall is the most highly abused (and abuseable) of the stimulant medications.
Instead of asking specifically for Adderall, it might have gone better if you’d asked for an evaluation, detailed your history, specifically asked about ADHD, and see what the doc recommended. If you’d done a little more research first on the medications used to treat ADHD, you could have had a conversation on the choice she offered.
For some people with ADHD-related anger/irritability, Tenex does help. But I’ve never heard of it helping with the full range of symptoms.
When you go back, you can report that none of your target symptoms have been addressed. But I recommend that you educate yourself first. My book offers guidelines for patients and physicians alike on selecting and titrating medications for ADHD:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981548709/?tag=wwwginaperaco-20
Good luck,
Gina
As an almost 40 year old mother of two that was just recently, finally diagnosed with add after decades of struggles, adderal has been a godsend. Although my dr had initially prescribed alternatives to this medication I just couldn’t afford them. Adderal isn’t covered either but the 20 dollar price tag was acceptable. It has changed my life. I’m happier now than I’ve ever been because I feel like my brain is working for me not against me. I take the minimum dosage and I have no intention of abusing the medication that I feel saved my sanity. I’ve never been happier or felt more stable.
I’m happy to hear that, Emily. Adderall does work well for many people. It’s just all the problematic angles to it that has created such a backlash against the very idea of ADHD itself.
Humans have always abused stimulants, as far as I can tell. In 1991, one study found that 19 percent of medical students surveyed used cocaine or amphetamines.
The general public always has a hard time treading gray area. Understanding that a medication that can lead to addiction for some people but higher functioning for others….difficult.
You said you’ve just started taking it recently. Some people find that Adderall becomes more problematic over time. Typically about 2-3 months. So if you notice something is “off,” that might be it. As for costs, most of the pharma companies have patient assistance programs to those who financially qualify. So, that shouldn’t be an obstacle for you.
take care,
g
i think the key is to find what works for you. Adderall might get a bad name, but i am doing well on a very low dose. My dr. started me on Vyvanse 30 and i i progressed to a 40 and was a crying, dark, mess. always felt like i had hangover in the morning when taking vyvanse…people at work commented that i was not myself. then i tried ritalin and foclin… i was depressed and i just couldnt focus…. then i tried Adderall…i have the same sleepless night as with the other drugs. i had insomnia before meds so not sure its any worse, but at least i feel like me… im not constantly raging and sad….i get my work done…and feel fine in the mornings
i am a teacher of children with special needs and just like i tell their parents to keep a journal about their child and talk to the dr…..we the add population need to take care to find what works for us…and not knock what works for some and not others…
Thanks for comment, Joy. I’m glad you found something that you think works for you. But if you are having “the same sleepless night,” then perhaps you should continue working to improve your medical treatment. ADHD itself is associated with sleep disorders, and they require targeted treatment.
Obviously, the key is finding what works for the individual. That is the entire point of my book’s chapters on medication. And some people will never find that if they start with Adderall, find its side effects intolerable, and assume that is the nature of medical treatment for ADHD (that is, the treatment is worse then the condition).
This is a nuanced subject, with plenty of gray area. But I’ve seen too much damage from Adderall not to repeat the caution I’ve repeated for years: For some people, it might work better than other options. But for many, it can be a huge problem.
tx
g
Well, Concerta 54 mg was WAY too much.
2 days were wasted on the experiment, after the first I messaged my MD that I wouldn’t drive or use power tools at that level and he sent me a message suggesting I BREAK A CONCERTA IN TWO?!
Fortunately I had read the drug information sheet and knew better. After another medical message my MD did too, and I got a Concerta Rx at 27mg instead. 6 days into that now.
It’s certainly not a magic pill that makes me into a normal person, whatever that is. At least I don’t have tachycardia and it feels safe to drive or use a tool now. More later, after I see how much work gets done and what quality level my output has.
Unbelievable, the stupidity of that physician. No wonder we’ve seen such a backlash against ADHD. Multiply his recklessness times thousands…..shocking.
But yes, there’s not going to be the “easy fix” that the ADHD-denyers proclaim. But you should feel significant improvement in your self-regulation (of focus, effort, motivation, emotion, etc.), and it should get better over time.
Avoid coffee and cigarettes. Get some sleep. Good luck!
g
Thanks for the comment-
I had another visit with my MD, and have started Concerta 54mg as of this morning. Seems to be a little calmer- I’m about to try working under the influence, we shall see. Rather surprised I wasn’t started at a lower dose and then worked up. I weigh about 200 to 210 lb., usually.
Asked my MD what his next plan was if this change in meds doesn’t produce a state of mind suitable for work and also allow allow “normal” behavior around other people… He didn’t have much to suggest, so I requested he immediately START looking for a psychiatrist with specialty or at least a lot of experience with adult ADD/inattentive. He agreed to look into finding who was available and could be used under my insurance.
Down side, he said it would likely be 3 to 4 months before I ever got to talk to a psych. That’s not going to be a good thing if I really need one! He did suggest talking to a neurologist, not sure how useful that’s going to be?!
There’s this tactic I’ve heard of for cutting down wait time in getting to see an MD at the ER: You grab your left arm, and start talking about sudden chest pains, you can’t get your breath and “Oh, my left arm has just gone “funny”!”
I suspect the psych equivalent of such a tactic is not a good choice for keeping one’s various “safety sensitive position” related licenses and professional standing.
Oh well, the news just informed people in (major US city I lived in) that it will be 3 to 15 minutes before our local 911 calls are answered. That’s ANSWERED. As in, the operator picks up the phone. Hope we all don’t have any actual emergencies- Because the fire/police/EMS will be another 5 to 30 minutes responding.
Ah, brave new world! Take a number and a seat…
Yes, it’s a problem. A shortage of psychiatrists, made worse (or perhaps caused) by low reimbursement rates.
Most of the good psychiatrists I know are scrambling to get out of the business.
The sad fact is that, to get the best results, people with ADHD often have to be very pro-active.
I encourage you to start by reading my book. The medication chapter alone is worth the price of admission.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981548709/?tag=wwwginaperaco-20
That doc should NOT have started you on 54 mg. Pardon my French, but that is imbecilic. The dosage has absolutely nothing to do with weight or size.
Yes, I don’t think that strategy will work at the psychiatric ER. 🙂
Good luck!
g
I’m an over 50 male diagnosed with adult ADD/inattentive and prescribed Adderall for a bit over a year now.
Diagnosis was spurred by a younger relative who was diagnosed, and a belated recognition by a sibling that we kids had ALL had various undiagnosed forms of ADD (1960’s-70’s, not a “fashionable” diagnosis back then…). We were all bright enough kids to get by anyhow, and it didn’t start to pile up to impossible levels until later in life, as noted by others here.
Both our parents had PHD’s, but I’d say my dad had ADD inattentive and compensated by a very narrow hyper focus on work, mom had at least a mild case of ADD inattentive as well. Supporting family and different social norms got them through school, but raising children pretty much pushed them past being able to cope too, looking at our home life in retrospect (and from far enough away in time to see it a bit more clearly than when it was happening!).
This article is pretty accurate as to my experience- Adderall is the all purpose noodle, and “throw the spaghetti at the wall and see if it sticks”. If it isn’t sticking, throw MORE spaghetti at the wall! STILL not sticking? THROW MORE AND THROW IT HARDER!!!
I went from experiencing some help with inatentive symptoms for the first 3 or so months on Adderall to progressively less and less help, telling my physician what was occurring and having the dose bumped up- and up, and up again.
The focus on important tasks became random flashes of hyper focus, the unwanted euphoric effects obscured the correct emotional re-enforcement for properly done work or from previously enjoyable leisure activities, physical effects such as muscle tension headaches, changes in the way my teeth met from constant grinding. Something that seems to be VERY like Tourette’s syndrome set in along with a constant ANGER that makes me want to avoid people I like because of the way I felt and might treat them.
I tell my primary physician (he’s an internist, and I really like and respect him medically otherwise, and as person) what is going on. He minimizes it, suggests other scenarios and ups my dose. He’s a good man with broken bones, infections, hernia and other straight forward physical issues, but totally out to sea on this.
So here I am, with a medically approved amphetamine addiction that doesn’t address my original issue effectively- And is causing dramatically BAD, unpleasant things to happen in my personal and work life. I won’t even pick up the phone to talk to my “significant other” many evenings, the downside of the day’s meds make my behavior far too poor for human company.
I’m on this page while researching the odds of unilaterally quitting Adderall cold turkey and NOT replacing it with other drugs. My research on non amphetamine medications had led me to ask for a trial of Provigil- Which my insurer denied. I have NO desire to substitute a different stimulant formulation for Adderall, speed is speed, even if it does come from big pharma rather than Walter White.
Don’t know what else you could suggest, but hey, at least I got this off my chest.
Hi B.,
Excuse me while I pound some sand. What you describe is inexcusable. It’s abhorrent. It should be actionable.
In what other disease category would this kind of reckless monitoring of care be considered okay?
Can you get to a board-certified psychiatrist? Not that this is a guarantee they will know what’s what with ADHD meds, but it might be better than your internist.
If that’s a problem, ask your internist to consider prescribing a less-problematic stimulant, such as Concerta, Daytrana, or Vyvanse. If you’ve never been given a trial of the MPH medication (Adderall is AMP), that is worth a try.
I’ve not met one person with ADHD for whom Provigil has been helpful. Not saying it’s impossible, but you’d think in 15 years and talking with thousands of folks, I’d have heard it. Provigil is a narcolepsy medication that is sometimes used for ADHD, but not sure who and why.
If you feel that Adderall helped you to some degree (minus the nasty side effects), it might be that Vyvanse will work well for you.
Then again, it could be that Adderall has exacerbated an anxiety condition, and that will need joint treatment with the ADHD.
Still, I’d start with the Vyvanse. Please ask your MD to give you trial or refer you to a physician who cares to be a more responsible prescriber. It’s something of a joke in our local group, that when people complain of bad side effects, their MD says to “double the dosage.” But it’s not that funny. In fact, it’s tragic. Sometimes there will be side effects in the beginning that go away. But that’s not what you are describing.
I recommend that you read my book’s chapter on medication — and maybe give a copy to your doc, if you’re stuck with him. It can make a huge difference in your understanding of how ADHD should be treated medically. It’s clearly written, and bulleted. Not a lot of ponderous prose. 🙂
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981548709/?tag=wwwginaperaco-20
Good luck! Demand better!
Gina
I am transgender, and have been misdiagnosed as having BPD despite the clear guidance in the DSM to not count the traits if they are better accounted for by an existing Axis I diagnosis such as Gender Dysphoria, and ADHD. It has ruined my relationships with the doctors I need to treat me.
Argh, I am so sorry to hear that, Emily.
I know this “brain stuff” is complicated, and there are no easy answers.
But it’s the lack of intellectual curiosity that gets to me.
In my experience, the clearer people with ADHD are about their challenges and the more validation they receive for their perception, the better their chance of finding a doc who can help them. So, seek all the validation you need. One site I like is http://www.ADDforums.com
best,
g
I’m currently a junior in highschool and I was diagnosed with ADD in eighth grade. I began taking concerta, but due to it making me sweat a lot, my doctor (not very helpful) switched me to adderall in 9th grade and I have been on it ever since. I have never really noticed many side effects of my adhd medicine besides dry mouth and sweatstains, that is until this year. I did some research and pieced it together. Whenever I take breaks in school and go off the medicine and come back on it, i get so depressed the first week and i’m generally a super always happy type person. It wasn’t till over Christmas break when I went off it that I noticed how miserable the medicine made me. I get stomach aches when i’m on it, i’m not as friendly, i’m quieter, i’m sadder, i sweat a ton, i’m way more irritable, and almost in a sense it makes me so much more focused on myself. I have been crying the past few days over how much I hate taking the miserable drug, but half way through my junior year in highschool is no time to start experimenting i feel like because I need to get good grades so I can get a scholarship but at the same time I can’t stay on this drug that changes who I am…. I’m nervous about letting it go what if the remedies don’t work? Please help me out/contact me/ give me any more advice I’m desperate to be care free again!!
Hi Leah,
You shouldn’t have to tolerate such extreme side effects in order to get benefits from the medication.
I encourage you to look into other options with your physician. Adderall is an older formulation, and it has a higher side effect profile than the newer formulations, such as Vyvanse.
Remember, too, that your body and brain are still developing. That means that a medication that worked for you last year might not work now. Some girls and women also need a little higher dosage during the menstrual periods.
When you say that, off medication, you are a “super happy” person, that could possibly indicate that untreated ADHD allows you to approach life more superficially, to gloss over challenges, and to not see future consequences. You might feel “happier” at such times, but you might not like the eventual consequences.
At the same time, too high a dose of Adderall could create this feeling of “depression,” too.
It is hard, at your age, to know “who you are.” Are you your “true self” when your symptoms are not medicated — or is the real you being obscured by your ADHD symptoms?
When the “real me” goes around my house without wearing my glasses, I can fool myself into believing that the house is neat and tidy. Then I put on my glasses, and see something else. 🙂
I hope you can find a counselor or physician you can discuss these issues with. It’s important.
No one can be “care free” forever. At some point, consequences will come up to bite you in the butt. Don’t let that happen! The trick is balancing responsibility and pleasure.
Good luck,
g
First of all it sounllds like she is on the wrong med. What is she taking for the anxiety and depression and I wouldn’t jump into adderall at this point. Adderall is not a fix all and is too slow starting. Along with slow release capsules you can’t tell where your body is what it’s doing you can’t tell when it starts to work and when it starts to wear off or is it working at all. These are things you must know. The problem is not just knowing what drug to use but how much per dose and how often. The first place I turned when I was investigating these questions was Harvard University School of Medicine. I don’t just talk to anybody I talk to the professor that is teaching the doctors and download any information that comes from that Professor I had question for him and I got the answers I needed. I had concerns about medication and the safe amounts, so i called Costco corporate and spoke to the corporate pharmacist who is ahead of all Costco pharmacy across the country if anybody is going to know he will and he will talk to you. The thing I kept in mind all the time is the safety of my body. I wish I could have helped this girl. I could have. It sounded as though she got off to a bad start.
Good for you being such a great observer and self advocate at such a young age. I understand that the focus is on Adderall, but I’m really surprised that nobody is mentioning puberty in this situation. Research shows that girls with ADHD experience a worsening of symptoms (ADHD and hormonal symptoms) during puberty. Sometimes, medications need to be adjusted. Additionally, many teens with ADHD (both boys and girls) have issues with executive functioning due to increasing demands and expectations for independence. All of these changes combined can cause many strong feelings and emotions. Hang in there. Keep up your research and self advocacy. It will serve you well in the future. Gina is a great resource! I’ve met her and heard her speak many times.
HI Jane,
Great advice.
Thanks for your support. 🙂
g
It never occurred to me that I might have ADHD. I have been diagnosed with: Bipolar II disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and PTSD (not all at the same time and not all by the same psychiatrist). ADHD was never a consideration. I have a traumatic past, and have attempted suicide on numerous occasions as well as going through a period of self-harming. All of the diagnoses seemed to fit except ADHD. However, the most relief I have ever experienced has been as the result of a stimulant medication. Unfortunately, Adderall, while extremely helpful to me in many ways, caused side effects that made it impossible for me to use.
I am now on Rydalin due to problems with Adderall, but this drug is not as effective for me. I am wondering if anyone has used a drug similar to Adderall without the adverse effects?
Thanks.
Hi Constance,
Congratulations on discovering the diagnosis. It is extremely hard to work on solutions until the correct diagnosis is in place.
Yes, due to genetics, it might be that one or the other class of stimulants (methylphenidate or amphetamines) work better for you. If Ritalin did not prove effective (and you tried the brand, at a sufficient dose, not the generic), it might be that the amphetamines are a better bet for you. In addition to Adderall, the amphetamine choices include Dexedrine (an older Rx that still works best for a minority of people) and a newer Rx called Vyvanse, which is delivered slowly and steadily into the blood stream over a longer period of time than Adderall or Adderall XR. It’s well worth asking your MD about it.
Good luck,
Gina
I have sought psychiatric care in response to deep genetic research of my own personal genome.
I was never diagnosed with ADD – but genetically I express ADD. In other words, my treatment regimen is strictly guided by my genes. Not what my husband says about me. Not what my co-workers say about me. Not even what I think or feel about me.
My genetics are my medical road map. And the deficiencies caused by my genes are treated – and overcome – by medicines specifically targeting those defective genes. It is the only way to remove the guess work for everyone involved. And is the reason I can’t take any of Gina’s recommendations seriously.
Genetically, I cannot tolerate methyl donors. Ritalin is a methyl donor. I have been prescribed generic Adderall which has brought great relief. But I also take an MAOI due to my MAO A gene being triple active. These medications are contraindicated but have made a difference in my life in a matter of months after suffering for over a decade. Thank God I found a practitioner who had one ounce of open mindedness and a whole lot of genetic training.
I have been having strange ankle swelling while on generic Adderall. I’m currently researching substitutions – but there are not a lot of options. Especially, when I have orthostatic hypotension as a result of the MAOI. The stimulant helps counteract hypotension – (Yes read that again- NOT hypertension – but HYPOtension – they are different.) and also treats my ADD genetic profile. I cannot tolerate extended release stimulants because my blood pressure has to be monitored closely. In the event I eat something deadly while on my MAOI – and suffer HYPERtension – compounded by a stimulant – it is best I remain on immediate release formulas.
I could go on and on about all the BS touted in this post – and probably in Gina’s book if I had the inclination to read it – but your attention span wouldn’t last. Everybody here should do themselves a favor and have their genome profiled and learn exactly what your prescribed and why that chemically does or does not work for you or your loved one.
As for Gina – it’s a shame you deter patients from mental health and wellbeing based on collected stories. I’m sure individuals have reacted and suffered side effects from Adderall or any other stimulant. But the answer lies in their genetics. Genetics tell the story of every chemical reaction in your body. Every chemical action has a psychological reaction.
Instead of telling patients or their loved ones to continue on the prescription merry-go-’round you should be telling them how to get the exact answer to their problem. If individuals know their genetic makeup they can do the math (and the chemistry) and find the exact answer to their chemical problems that manifest physically and psychologically.
My visit here today was mainly to read about Constance Wilds’ reaction to Adderall with swollen ankles. Since I’m not alone in this symptom – I know for sure an ingredient in the formula is causing the reaction. I also can say in the absence of Adderall – the swelling goes away. It won’t take me long to see the math and the chemical causes – because I understand fundamentally what Adderall is doing to the dopamine supply, transport, uptake, and reuptake in my brain. I understand it because my genes tell me what, when, and why Adderall “fixes” their mutations.
My hope is that everyone here will find their medical map and stop torturing themselves and everyone around them. Get your DNA tested. Then spend immense time studying your genes as if your life depends on it. It does. Genetic research is hard. I spent 2 years studying mine – before treatment. All the while suffering. But once I saw the problem – I could seek the solution. And no doctor, lecturer, pharmacy, “expert”, husband, friend, or colleague could tell me I was wrong. You are born with your genes. They will never change. The answer you derive about your chemical and thus mental health will be definitive.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
It’s too bad you couldn’t share your interesting perspective without denigrating the accurate information that I share here.
As for the rest, I don’t know where you’re getting your information, that somehow Ritalin is a methyl donor while Adderall is not, but I’m afraid you’re relying on less than credible sources.
A genetic test will only tell you certain details, which must be understood in immense complexity. If then. My husband and I wrote this 7-part series on using genetic-testing to guide ADHD medication selection.
You must have missed it.
Gina
@Constance Wilds
Don’t listen to her. Honestly im shocked she would even go far enough to act like she is educated enough to give you advice on drugs, but at the same time, if you had problems on adderall, she suggests that you should try more stimulants and even amphetamines. Clearly if you had a problem with one type of drug you shouldn’t keep trying the stimulants and amphetamines, you should go down a different path. Im not a professional, but i am pretty educated and i can tell you this with legit experience. If i were you i would try taking Provigil, even over vyvance . Provigil is like a clone of adderall but without the amphetimines and approaches how it goes about helping you in a more safe, less invasive and if you dont do well on adderall you might do perfect on that, but there are side effects, its worth trying. Its way better than what you are on. A lot of people don’t know that Provigil is possibly the best alternative to adderall, even psychiatrists. But i know this with my long medical history and my dad. My dad was a druggie and criminal when he was 18 and in his 20s, it got to the point he was skinny and so unhealthy that his skin was pale as fuck, he didnt really move much or eat, he just did hard drugs and was on the road to death until one of his old crimes caught up with him and he spent a year in prison where he turned everything around, became a body builder and got very far in life being very successful, but because he was such a hardcore drug addict, he cant take certain meds, and he certainly cant take any amphetimines which includes whats in adderall, and he has had times where he has needed medication for ADHD problems and so when he needs it, which is rare he gets Provigil, it has pretty much the same effects and does the same thing without the problems with taking drugs similar to speed. He tries to get me to switch onto it over adderall but im like nahhh. So i hope this does get to you in case you are at a point in your life where you may still need some help finding something that works. I think this gina lady has to approve every comment that goes through and since ive been ranting about how she is spreading so much false info she may already be rejecting every comment i make, but itd be pretty low of her to reject this one because i actually have some credible info and advice that could potentially help you or another reader with your question and for her to not let my comment show would just be pretty low considering the horrible advice she gave you. Shes just as bad as a psychiatrist that doesn’t know enough about what they prescribe to people. She has no clue what she is talking about, giving you info and advice that would potentially keep you looking for the right meds or just give up. I know what its like to not have meds for something that i need meds for, and i hate it. i got lucky with my parents being very educated and guiding me into meds safely. But not many other people are lucky enough to be born with parents who work at kaiser and are in the medical field while i have medical problems…
That’s right, Constance. Listen to a random anonymous person for your misinformation, not someone who is recognized as an expert in Adult ADHD by a virtual “Who’s Who” of top experts.
That will work out great. 🙂
That’s the last message I am approving, Georgia. I don’t care what you say about me; I recognize the blame-shifting and self-medicating with provocation.
The problem is that you risk hurting people with very bad information.
Particularly your comments on Provigil are way off the beam. In study after study, it seldom does better than placebo—and with adverse side effects.
Gina
My psychiatrist prescribed Adderall for my PTSD & depression, which caused me to have problems with concentration. He indicated that Adderall had worked well for many of his PTSD patients. I developed swelling in my ankles after about a month of use (20 mg 2x/day). Further, the tops of my feet itched terribly. There were no problems found with my kidneys or heart. My family physician said that this seemed like an allergy. My psychiatrist only indicated that he had never hear of someone having this reaction to Adderall. Also, I found myself becoming extremely angry to the point of violence. I have never been an angry or violent person. When I told my psychiatrist about the anger problems and how concerned I was about them, he blamed it on my traumatic past. Finally, I stopped taking the Adderall because of the ankle swelling and was put on Ridalin instead. Since then, I have had no ankle swelling and no further anger/violence problems.
I am certain all of these issues were caused by the Adderall. Physicians need to educate themselves about all of the potential side effects of a medication and be open to the fact that everyone is different and some people can suffer side effects that many others do not. I never knew about the connection between Adderall and anger problems until I read about it on the internet. My doctor never once connected the two.
Hi Constance,
I’m sorry to hear of your experience. Your MD might be onto something; oftentimes ADHD is misdiagnosed as PTSD, so it would make sense that sometimes a stimulant medication would help.
It’s too bad that he didn’t see the physical reaction to the meds, though, and instead blamed it on your traumatic past. In what world does this make sense? Especially given that there are so many alternatives when it comes to stimulant. Not only that, but the dopamine system affects all kinds of physiological processes — not just “focus.”
Yes, you are right. Physicians need to educate themselves about the potential side effects of all medications, most especially including Adderall. But you would not believe how much grief I get when I try to do this. Almost all docs have tried to talk me out of this, as if I’ve imagined it. Instead, I’ve been closely listening to first-person stories for almost 15 years.
So, I gave up educating the physicians and started educating the patients. That’s why I detailed medication treatments for ADHD in my book (three chapters worth) — to educate the patients who would then, I hope, educate their physicians.
Good for you for listening to your body!
g
Thanks for weighing in, Stuart, and for being an “early adopter.” 😉
I’m going to stick to my point, that I would not recommend Adderall as a first try for anyone — only as the last option. Because I’ve seen too many people go off the rails, and never return. Especially never return to trying a different medication. Adderall can close doors, and sometimes end relationships, jobs, and no doubt some lives.
Trouble is, most of the times MDs don’t hear about this. People just don’t go back and are deemed “non-compliant” and “non-adherent.”
Thanks for serving this population.
Gina
Gina, I just have to stop and thank you so much for your dedication to this topic. You have answered me personally on your other blog so when I googled “Adderall rages” and came to this page I was incredibly comforted that I was able to KNOW who was writing this. Medicine forums are usually so full of bad news, it’s hard to believe it because the people who don’t have a problem aren’t spending time on these forums. I know when you say “first hand experience collecting these stories for 15 years” it’s not just a knee jerk reaction to the things you heard second hand.
I have read your book, I will reread the medicine chapter and probably be back with questions. Thank you so much for the work you do, it makes a real difference in our little family.
Thanks for taking the time to write that, Alissa. I appreciate it.
Gina
Thanks Gina! I did read that chapter but I am going to reread it because when I read it, my husband wasn’t on the medication yet and I was still so astounded by everything else in the book and how it compared to our marriage so well! I am also hoping to find him a physician or a psychiatrist to monitor the medication he is on. His primary care physician prescribed it for him. He hasn’t been back in almost a year and it was only monitored a couple of times (and that’s only because he has a health issue to go back for). My husband wouldn’t let me go the the appointment either. I like his doctor. I just think my husband needs a psychiatrist or someone that specializes more in these types of medications and will monitor it better. Thanks again for your ideas! 🙂
I just read your review and thoughtful text. My best friend goes with her husband, my Mom went with her Mom… then I went with My Mom…. An extra set of ears is so helpful. As Gina explained, the one with ADD or ADHD will think everything is rosy. It’s not unusual for the partner to express a different view…. Make it fun! Promise lunch after the appointment.
Good luck.
I hope your are doing well.
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your vote of approval! And yes, bribes are always useful! 🙂
Happy 2018!
g
Hi,
Is it possible that Adderall just doesn’t work for some people? My husband is on it and he isn’t more angry but he still can’t control arguing with me or lettinng things go. He still gets distracted by other things. I have noticed a little bit of a difference (as far as being able to focus better) but not as much as I had hoped. His doctor just put him on it the first time and he hasn’t really monitored it at all and when he asks my husband if it is helping, he tells him yes that he feels great! However, he is still saying hurtful things to me. Thanks
Yes, it is definitely true that Adderall “just doesn’t work for some people”. Neither will Ritalin or other medications. The choice of stimulant should be made methodically, with the knowledge that individual neurogenetics mean some Rx will work better than others. I detail this in my book’s chapters on medication. You would do well to read them and ask your husband’s physician to read them, too. 😉
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981548709/?tag=wwwginaperaco-20
I have no problem getting medication for my children or myself but getting my HMO or the schools to give us support in other ways has been my biggest frustration. They definitely believe in the “throw medication at the disorder” mentality. I was lucky in that my primary care physician is thorough and referred me out a specialist for the medicine or I’d probably give up. However, I am in a battle between the school and HMO with both of them pointing the finger at each other saying the other is responsible for behavioral training.
With regards to Jeff and his story, my parents still refuse to believe I am ADHD. I was a great student and always held a job. I am yet another example of somebody that got missed due to my academic performance.
I know what you mean about the HMOs, Andrea. Locally, at our Adult ADHD group, whenever new members join the group and mention their HMO provider, there is a collective groan. Because we know that that HMO can just wear you down until you stop trying. That’s one of the group’s benefits: we act as a cheering section to keep persevering.
Some HMO’s mentality is very short-term. They expect a high turnover among enrollees (due to job changes, relocations, etc.) and so they don’t focus on long-term benefits. If they did — if they wanted to avoid many of the problems associated with a lifetime of untreated ADHD (hypertension, diabetes, traffic accidents, sleep disorders, etc.) — they would take ADHD treatment seriously.
Still, the people who have HMOs are usually paying very little for their medical care. So, if they can afford it, I encourage them to go out of system. It’s worth it. Trying to stay “within the system” can be a foolish strategy if one has the cash.
Andrew,
Depending on what state you are in, there are laws the schools have to follow to support your child. Many schools actually ignore them (to their later peril). If your school is not supporting your child, talk to them about doing an IEP or a 509 for your child. One is formal, the other is not. Then you can force the school to give your child the help they need. We know this since we work with schools. The HMO is responsible for the medical and mental health of the child. The school is responsible for the education of the child. But they do inter-connect. And that is where those forms and requirements apply. They join the two sides to get the children the best possible chance in education.
Teachers today handle ADD and ADHD differently than they did 20 or 30 years ago. Many are not trained or capable of dealing with such students unless the student ‘gets medicated help.’ Truth is, plenty of students like myself succeeded in school without meds after very rough learning periods. Went from F’s in elementary school to valedictorian in HS without such help. But I later sought help for ADHD as an adult to deal with work and family responsibilities since they are much more weighty issues than school. It helps considerably.
My husband is taking Adderall XR and it is NOT working!! I took both of my children off Adderall because it made them angry. Concerta has been much better for them but it doesn’t seem to work for my husband. The Adderall “works” for being able to sit at his desk at work but the side effects are really bad. He can’t sleep, gets easily agitated, becomes verbally aggressive, can’t handle crowds & noise, grinds his teeth, and to offset the affects of Adderall he drinks. His moods are all over the place. If he takes his Adderall he does better at work but home life suffers so he gets down. No Adderall his work life suffers but home is better so he gets down. It’s a vicious cycle and all I can do is take baby steps hoping some day it will get better. Gina has suggested that if he didn’t do well on the Concerta to try the Vyvanse, but that isn’t affordable for us right now. Wish us luck! JS
I do wish you luck. Vyvanse has been the best medicine for my daughter. She took Adderall from age 8 to whenever Vyvanse came out. She preferred the latter.
Perhaps your husband could be tried on it to see if it is better, and you keep some logs to inform the doctor. Some drug companies will provide medications for reduced cost, and some insurance companies will cough up the money for the more expensive medication if the doctor will make a case for it. Anything less than the best you can obtain is too little.
It’s exhausting to be the support arm of the situation, especially with kids and spouse with ADHD. I feel for you.
Doc Bets – I surely appreciate you always lending a hand by sharing your expertise on blogs, news articles, and lists. You have generously performed a great service for the ADHD community ever since I met you (what? 10 years ago?). In particular, I will never forget your early support of my efforts. You have helped me to help so many.
Gina
I have ADHD, have since I was a child. Was not a diagnosis back then, they thought it was sugar-related. Graduated top of my classes, though never got treatment until I was an adult.
I tried Strattera as an adult – it worked but gave bad headaches. Later went to Adderall – and had all the symptoms you mentioned, plus made my heartbeat race uncontrollably during exercise (I am in great physical shape, so it was definitely the new medicine). I stopped taking it and asked my doc for alternatives. Doctor switched me to Vyvanse and it’s amazing…none of the previous side effects and to this day still solves all the symptoms. Yes, expensive, but insurance covers it. It’s only been out a few years, so time will tell what other side effects this may have later. But for now, it’s working great. Vyvanse also has a patient assistance program to help offset the cost – your doctor might have information and script cards for that like mine did.
Hi Lana, Yes, that’s a helpful website!
Also Costco doesn’t require membership to purchase Rx.
Thanks for sharing.
g
This triggers my “PTSD” around my ex-husband getting treatment for his ADHD 10 years ago. The MD refused to listen to me when I tried to tell her that the Adderall was making my husband angry. Over the top angry. He was eating the pills like they were M&Ms and threatening me if I dared to tell the doctor what was happening. Of course he didn’t want his “supply” cut off. I moved back in with my mother because he was scaring me so badly. He ended up losing his job because he shot the bird at his boss. Mind you, he’d never been a “nice” person but that Adderall turned him into a raging scary person. “Madderal” is right. It wasn’t right what happened to him. He was trying to get help, and instead the “help” made everything worse. Frances
Thank you Gina! David Fee’s Story could have been my son’s. Fortunately, we were able to intervene, with no thanks to the shrinks. This is a story that had to be told. I just hope it doesn’t further damage the legitimacy of ADHD treatment in the public’s eyes. The medications can work so well, when properly administered.
Thank you again, Gina. I too noticed the story and assumed it was part of the New York Times’ unrelenting attack on ADHD medications the reality of ADHD. I skipped the article completely, though — thank you for bringing it to our attention and for providing your expert commentary.
You nailed it again, Gina. I feel sorry for that young man’s family. Thank you for taking the time to write this. Jamie.
Thank you, Gina, for your tireless efforts. I don’t know what my husband and I would have done without your guidance. My husband was headed toward a bad end, and the doctor didn’t have a clue. Amazing. We have learned the hard way what you have been lecturing about for many years. I hope others listen to you.
“Did the poor young man in the NYT story truly not have ADHD, as his parents claim? (…the reporter did not dig deeply enough, perhaps because he does not know that ADHD sometimes had a way of “sneaking up” on people later in life, when their innate intelligence and ability to get by in school without good study habits are no longer enough to let them keep up with their goals.) ” – Absolutely spot on! This story could be reported as an ongoing series of stories…with one examining his childhood as seen by teachers and others…examination of others in his family (if he had ADHD…it would be evident in other family members), of the doctors that guided and misguided him, of the way he “played” the doctors, and so on. Of course…I know I’m preaching to the choir on this one. This is a much deeper, multifaceted story that, unfortunately, will never be fully told.
Yes, you’re right, Jeff. There are many facets to this story.
We cannot depend on the parents or his friends to truly know if this boy had ADHD, or maybe ADHD+ bi-polar.
And I’ve heard many stories of adults with ADHD not telling the physician the full truth of Adderall’s effect — even to the point of forbidding their partners from contacting the physician, for fear of stopping the “focus.”
They truly feel it is their only solution, because they never tried another, less problematic stimulant before the Adderall. All they know is that they want the focus that has eluded them throughout their lives. And, sometimes, in the process, they become addicted.
I’ve always said, high intelligence masks ADHD, and ADHD can mask high intelligence.
When life’s demands increase, as with career and family, and in the case of women, career and FAMILY, the “extra” brain power isn’t available anymore and it is inevitable that decreased functioning and/or a crash of sorts comes to pass.
Excellent summary, Betsy.
Betsy, I appreciate your comment. When I started learning about ADHD, I thought it probably applied to me too, but because of the “high-intelligence” I was blessed with, it never showed. Now that I have so many pressures in life, as a very very busy adult, I find that it’s harder to keep my focus, and I am recognizing many of my behaviors to be ADHD like. Yet no professional I’d ever asked agreed. Your statement about high-intelligence masking ADHD and vice versa helps!
Yes Jeff, you may be right about the ADHD creeping up at a later age, but sometimes it’s hard to tell, especially if the young man is out of High School, facing his manhood experiences & challenges, one of those “just becoming a man”, and going through the changes of young adulthood. To this day, I don’t think there’s a definite cure, just like in cancer, there’s ways of making the person feel a little better, worthy or part of this society, but not in a total comfort zone.
But to prescribe Adderall to someone who may not need it, and cause that person to do something radical, is not to blame the parents, or the patient for not knowing the real reason. That is why they go to a doctor for his/her expertise, and end up in the morgue, the psychiatric ward, or just a plain Joe with an altered brain. Trust me I have and still am living this by watching someone so dear to me.
In my experience, most of the APA conferences are peopled with shrinks clinging to the psychoanalytic model. Nothing wrong with it used properly, but it takes little notice of brain research, for example.
Yes, that seemed to be the case. They were packing it in at the lectures on Borderline Personality Disorder. I think the docs liked the drama; plus it made them feel like psychiatric sleuths. I just sat there wondering how many people with ADHD were being misdiagnosed as having Bordeline Perosnality Disorder because no one was drawing distinctions.
Well done, Gina. It is so HARD to obtain really expert diagnosis and treatment for ADHD, even after all this time. It used to be that we couldn’t get doctors to believe it exists; now we can’t get them to believe it co-exists, and that treatment is, as you say, anything but simple.
Thank you, Betsy.
That doc who called ADHD a “simple” condition — just throw a stimulant at it?
That was at the American Psychiatric Association confab a few years ago in SF. Where NOT ONE lecture was devoted to ADHD.
Only pre-conference “industry supported” lectures on ADHD (excellent, by top experts). But of course many of the docs attending the conference through a pharma-sponsored lecture beneath them.
What a big, sticky, complicated mess.
After reading your information O realized I’ve been blessed even more. The way that you recommend to be evaluated, talked you and started slowly is exactly how I experienced it. I’m 57. I’ve been on Adderall for a couple years. Pardon then term but for my sanity it is “GOD SEND”. I’ve always had explosive anger and a brain that thinks about everything at once. I have never experienced peace like I have now. I hope other people will understand and put the work in to find out what will help them. My Dr told me from the start, this takes time. She has expressed that I’m a much clamer person. I thank God I asked about ADHD. Turns out I have a bit of OCD that has been working against me. That’s under control as well. I would have liked to have these meds 40 years ago. Don’t give up. The time invested is worth the wait. Proper education will save alot of heartache. Great work Gina!!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for passing encouragement onto others. I’m happy for you!
Gina