Adderall and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• ski...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2018

For ADHD "I tried Adderall first at age 17 (15 mg a day). It helped a couple of hours after I took it, but about 3 hours later, I'd get extremely depressed and have depressing thoughts, then a couple of hours later, it'd just go away. This happened every time, and I went off it shortly after. At 19, I tried it again at 20 mg a day. Same good feelings for about 3 hours, and then a crash. However, this time, the bad feelings weren't as intense, and I didn't have depressing thoughts. I did experience more anxiety, though, and the depression was still bad enough for me to dread taking the meds. I'm trying Focalin now, but I've only taken it once, so I can't compare them yet."

• Roo...
• September 14, 2013

For ADHD "Great medication. I was doing tasks again and talking to people again. The only downside is I want something more 24 hours. The instant release tabs had peaks, and after the peaks, I would have massive anxiety, and the same was with the extended release. It's a great medicine, but not for me."

• Em4...
• January 26, 2018

For ADHD "I’m a 21-year-old female. Adderall helped me focus, be on time, stay organized. However, as time passed, I noticed the negative impact. I had weight loss, irritability, my anxiety was worse, dry skin, dry mouth, and was not feeling like myself. I developed insomnia too. This was only on 20 mg a day. I took it as prescribed. The worst part was when I tried to quit taking it after I was switched to Vyvanse, which I felt even worse on. I ended up in the hospital having a panic attack the first time I tried to stop taking it. The second time I tried to quit, I had even more withdrawal symptoms: paranoia, panic attacks, vomiting. Stimulants are not worth it."

• Ano...
• January 7, 2018

For ADHD "Was diagnosed with ADHD at 18 years old. I was prescribed and am taking Adderall 20 mg XR. This drug makes me feel like an emotionless zombie at times. My anxiety is fluctuating a lot, and my mood is constantly changing. I like to go out late sometimes, but when it wears off, I don’t have any energy to do so. Friends and family have become increasingly less important, it seems. I have minor scoliosis, and it makes my back pain a lot worse at times. This drug definitely allows me to focus and get ahead. At the end of the day, I don’t know if it’s worth it though. Might need a lower dose."

• jod...
• November 27, 2009

For ADHD "I was put on Ritalin when I was 6. I did not like it. I took myself off of it when I was 14. My grades plummeted, I developed depression, and then anxiety. I continued to become lethargic and relied heavily on caffeine. I am now 25. I began to take Adderall recently due to severe trouble concentrating at work, thinking it may help me keep my job. Now that my body seems to be used to the medication, I can hardly tell I'm on it. I have noticed improved memory, focus, and concentration. I did have some very adverse side effects accidentally combining with caffeine. I've found now that my body has adjusted I have no side effects, and my concentration remains improved, and, bonus, no depression. I do worry about cessation."

• CJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 12, 2019

For ADHD "Adderall seemed to really help me at first. After about six months, though, I ran into problems. I started to feel nervous, had sleeping issues, loose stool, sweaty pits, and ultimately gained a dependency where I craved for me to always be on it and feared the comedown. The final straw was when I fell into my seasonal depression, and it made it worse. I started to feel like an emotionless robot and knew I had to leave it. Overall, the negative side effects far outweighed the positive ones. I'll also note it has been several months since my last dose, and I still don't feel completely like myself. Sometimes, it is harder for me to get up and going than it has ever been, and my seasonal depression didn't end in March like usual, this is the first sunny June I've been depressed like this. I suggest other alternatives to your ADHD, this drug is toxic, very addictive, and can change you. I never felt right taking it, I'll do anything else to combat my ADHD after experiencing it long-term."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2019

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADD in 2005 after experiencing horrible distractibility in class while at college and not being able to focus on a single thought in my head. I was prescribed Adderall IR, and I remember feeling like I had drunk 5 Red Bulls or something! My heart was pounding, and I had horrible anxiety the whole day. I only took it one time. I decided to get off it immediately. Soon after, I was prescribed Strattera, which didn't do ANYTHING. I've gone for about 13 years without actual ADD medications because I really hated the idea of stimulants. That all changed when I realized my ADD was getting out of control. I saw my current psychiatrist last week, who re-diagnosed me, and we discussed my experiences. I had read reviews from people here who say that Dexedrine works for them if Adderall made them too wired, so I asked if I could try that. I just tried it today, and I had no horrible side effects - no anxiety, no heart palpitations, no edginess, etc. It is wonderful!"

• Tva...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2018

For Narcolepsy "Able to make it through the day without becoming sluggish most of the time. Needed to cut back dose during light season, which impacts severity. Anxiety, impatience, frequent blood pressure increase becoming bothersome after 2 years. Not sure what to ask for."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2009

For ADHD "I have bipolar disorder and have ADD (not ADHD) for which I was on Ritalin (methylphenidate). My doctor switched me to Adderall because my concentration seemed to be waning again, but I don't believe it is working as well. Concentration is about the same, but it seems I am experiencing a lot more anxiety now than I did with the Ritalin."

• Del...
• August 16, 2017

For ADHD "I would like to first say that my experience with Adderall was overall successful, it most definitely helped my concentration and ability to focus. However, there are some side effects that I think are worth noting. I had minimal anxiety prior to taking this medication (only when traveling). My anxiety dramatically increased to the point where I was put in therapy and almost took a medical leave from work. (I quit taking the medication once I realized it was a significant contributing factor - although not completely to blame.) I had a very dry mouth while prescribed, which actually ended up leading to cavities according to my dentist. Noticeable lower back pain and problems sleeping (both are alleviated once you quit taking the meds)."

• hea...
• March 29, 2012

For ADHD "Started taking Adderall about 3.5 years ago while in my early twenties for ADD. After already being diagnosed at around 7, my parents refused to put me on medicines. I was never able to sit still, go a day without being extremely restless in class, and many times was sent to the office for being loud. After extreme fatigue and no motivation to finish anything, including zero motivation to work, depression, etc., I started Adderall. Has helped so much (at first) things got done, class/work was way smoother. And had interest in things I always struggled to absorb. Cons... tolerance builds fast. Sleep is a must or you feel like a corpse. (After the first few weeks, sleep comes easier, though.) Nervous. Jittery."

• hea...
• March 29, 2012

For ADHD "Started taking Adderall about 3.5 years ago while in my early twenties for ADD. After already being diagnosed at around 7, my parents refused to put me on medicines. I was never able to sit still, go a day without being extremely restless in class, and many times was sent to the office for being loud. After extreme fatigue and no motivation to finish anything, including zero motivation to work, depression, etc., I started Adderall. Has helped so much (at first) things got done, class/work was way smoother. And had interest in things I always struggled to absorb. Cons... tolerance builds fast. Sleep is a must or you feel like a corpse. (After the first few weeks, sleep comes easier, though.) Nervous. Jittery."

• Tee...
• November 9, 2016

For ADHD "I take 5 milligrams as needed for school. I take it right before school, maybe around 6 am, school starts around 7 am. I've noticed extreme dizziness, I get hot so easily, even more anxious, so much more depressed, so tired, terrible headaches, and excessive talking. I wake up in the morning to bump into every possible wall, my vision is completely blacked out. I can't walk for more than a mile without feeling faint. I eat well and drink lots of water (due to a horrible experience with Vyvanse, in which I lost 20 lbs). Not only that, but falling asleep is killer. I've never taken such a small dose and have such poor results."

• pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2017

For ADHD "I started on Concerta for ADHD and had poor results, it made me feel out of touch. I started Adderall a week ago at 20 mg twice a day, and I have anxiety and feel some focus. I am wondering if 20 mg is too low a dose and need to go up."

• Civ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 9, 2017

For ADHD "This drug completely ruined my life. I started taking the drug when I was 12 until about 25. Everything I have done academically has been due to Adderall. I have a degree in I/T and am working on a civil engineering master's degree. Don't get it confused, you can be fine for a year or even years on this drug, but it will catch up to you. After I quit taking it, I was back to a 12-year-old academically and performance-wise. It made my real ADHD ten times worse without the drug and gave me crippling anxiety. I quit taking it and developed a cocaine problem, then a drinking problem that almost killed me. I attribute each of these addictions to being on legal speed for 13 years. It's speed - there is no way around it."

• Del...
• August 31, 2015

For ADHD "So I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and am taking Wellbutrin, however, it wasn't doing enough, so I requested to try a stimulant, specifically this one since the ratings are so high and predominantly positive. Within minutes of taking 10mg, the anxiety was... just way too much. I also didn't really know how to feel or what to do. It did help me with focusing... better than almost anything else I've tried. Then after that, I went away. About a half an hour later, I started to feel better after I ate something. The remainder of the day, I was so tired I just laid in bed. It works, don't get me wrong, but I just can't put my faith in an addictive/physically dependent med. I stopped taking it. Gonna try Strattera next."

• cop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2014

For Narcolepsy "Worked very well, but only downfall, some days made me super anxious and jittery. Overall, can't wait to get back on it for some energy."

• cop...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2014

For Narcolepsy "Worked very well, but only downfall, some days made me super anxious and jittery. Overall, can't wait to get back on it for some energy."