I started 15 mg dextroamphetamine er about 3 weeks ago. I have been chronically depressed for years and suffer from anxiety/panic disorder and PTSD. I'm not sure if I have ADD. My doc seems to think so. I have difficulty with focusing, getting motivated and completing tasks. After years of many different anti-deppressant drug treatments, I was willing to give it a try.
It immediately seemed to energize me and restored a long lost passion for life. I was more confident and less concerned with what people thought of me. However, I struggled with feeling, at times, over-stimulated, which was extremely uncomfortable. Now, I am having severe mood disturbances, characterized by pronounced irritability, anger and feelings of wanting to lash out. I have talked to my doc and therapist about this and they both seem to think that since depression is anger turned inward, that somehow the stimulant is preventing this tendency. They feel that my anger is justified, so the expression of it is healthy and can perhaps motivate me. I have always been very passive and know that I have a lot of untapped anger. However, this drastic change is scary. It makes me feel out of control and even I don't want to be around me. HELP! I don't know what to do. Can anyone relate or offer any advice?
Can dextroamphetamine cause extreme irritability, anger and agression?
Question posted by bonkersmagee on 2 Nov 2010
Last updated on 3 November 2010
Answers
Bonkersmagee,
You bet it can! Rapid mood swings, increased aggression, and uncontrolled irritability are all known possible side effects from this medication. If your therapist and doctor do not think anything is wrong and are unwilling to listen to YOUR opinion, I suggest finding another doctor and therapist. However, they may be on to something with this whole depression/anger idea. If you want to compromise with them, I'd ask them to at least decrease your dosage (15mg is relatively small, but maybe you need an even smaller dose--5mg to 60mg is a normal range). In order to put that anger to use, I'd suggest doing something constructive that you can put your energy into: cooking (especially baking-kneading dough is VERY therapeutic), doing yard work-especially pruning or cutting firewood, and even hitting a golf ball at the driving range (you're not trying to better your game, just hit something that will help you release your anger). I hope this has been helpful and please feel free to contact me again.
Thankyou SO much Psyched for your response. I was doing a lot of research online about this and couldn't find much about this medication being linked to anger. The most common side effects that kept coming up were loss of appetite, possible insomnia and, of course, the potential for addiction. On this site, in particular, there were several posts where people even noted that this medication had helped calm their anger.
I have been really confused. My brother, who is on Adderal, told me that if the meds are causing this reaction, that I don't have ADD and shouldn't be taking them. I was hesitant to buy into that, though.
Something I didn't mention, which may be important, is that I am also on Buproprion (Wellbutrin). Before I started the dextro I was taking 400 mg buproprion. When I started the dextro, my doc cut it down to 200 mg. This drug is not classified as a stimulant, but it works on some of the same neurotransmitters (like norepenephrine) and would often help"energize" me. I'm wondering if perhaps this combination may be causing an effect of over stimulation. Today I experimented with not taking the bupropion and my mood has been much calmer and my day has gone much more smoothly. I also skipped my 2nd cup of coffee, though. I noticed that I have to be very aware of my caffeine intake. A little too much caffeine can send me over the edge.
I do have to find healthy ways to vent my aggression and appreciate your suggestions. Thanks again for your response.
Related topics
Further information
- Dextroamphetamine uses and safety info
- Dextroamphetamine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Dextroamphetamine (detailed)
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