Adderall XR and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• PWi...
• March 30, 2012

"It took a while to find the right problems, then the right medicines, then the right dosage, but once we did, even my husband could tell the difference, and I could too. It was an immediate difference, the next day with the Clonazepam, I felt an instant calmness and togetherness that I had not felt before. I take 40 mg (2 x 20 mg XR) in the morning with Clonazepam 1 - 1 mg tab because I have panic attacks and anxiety sometimes. Then 2 - 1 mg Clonazepam at night, which relaxes me and I am able to not have nightmares and can sleep. Without the medicines, including the Lexapro 20 mg, I have terrible depression, nightmares, cannot concentrate, the post-traumatic stress disorder takes over, and the hypervigilance is awful. The drugs have made such a positive difference, and my husband agrees."

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2010

For ADHD "I'm 18 and have been taking Adderall XR 30 mg for 10 years now. When I take it, I can focus on schoolwork and my job and actually succeed. I like being able to do well in school and work, but lately, the side effects have seemed to intensify like crazy. I'd always experienced the loss of appetite, but now the sweating, anxiety, and depression are all starting to wreak havoc on my life. I'm not sociable at all when I'm on this medication. I feel like I'm more of a robot. And if I get distracted for a second and start something else, I will focus on that instead of getting my work done. I've tried other medications in the past, but none do the job like Adderall."

• alo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 21, 2017

For ADHD "This drug provides great concentration for a couple of hours. However, after a couple of hours, I predictably experience extreme anxiety, depression, and irritability. It can easily cause you to get into an argument with someone you love because you are so easily irritated and frustrated by anything. The anxiety is the worst. Being a previous smoker, Adderall increases my craving to smoke by tenfold (a habit I have quit and hardly have cravings for anymore). I also find that the drug clouds my ability to think when doing brain-intensive work such as programming, math, or even typing. I think that might be related to the dosage, though. I don't recommend this medication to anyone (other than those with severe ADHD)."

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2010

For ADHD "I'm 54 years old and was on Adderall a while ago and stopped. I thought I was addicted. I'm back on it-20 mg a day. It helps me to focus mostly while on the computer and while reading. I find that I'm getting severe mood swings, and it makes me extremely nervous. People tend to notice my nervousness and have commented. I probably need a smaller dose."

• Lec...
• October 29, 2008

For ADHD "I used to take a high dosage time-release tablet of another drug. If I took it when I woke up, say 8 o'clock, I would inevitably go through an anxious and depressing period every day around 5 p.m. My psychiatrist prescribed me Adderall XR and Adderall to see if I wouldn't go through this down period. I am so much happier now. Adderall permits me to be focused, less impulsive, and organized while lessening the side effects, which I got with the other drug. I have an appetite, but am not an impulsive eater."

• tay...
• May 4, 2009

For ADHD "Great when combined with Adderall (immediate release). I stay focused and organized, have consistent energy, and even speak more professionally at work. Con: tightness in chest/anxiety on doses higher than 5 mg. I seem to be highly sensitive to the XR, so I take 5 mg three times a day with Adderall (immediate release) 10 mg."

• DPh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2013

For ADHD "I am 21, I'm studying physics, and I have been on Adderall for almost 2 years now. I started at 15 mg, and I am now at 25 mg. It was good the first year, very effective. But now, I don't think it really helps. I feel sleepy with it, and I lose attention very quickly. I don't think the dose is the problem, I feel the effect, and I think that increasing the dose will augment the anxiety caused by it (I noticed that each time I had to increase the doses, the side effects were worse). I'm going to return to Ritalin tonight, it was way more effective. Or maybe another one with methylphenidate. Concerta didn't work for me, maybe Biphentin should."

• cjo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2015

For ADHD "I have ADD caused by major depressive disorder, and stimulants have done wonders for me! However, Adderall makes me feel very anxious and panicky, and I don't like it at all. It lasts a long time, and sometimes I can't sleep at night because of it. Overall, it's an alright choice. Might switch back to Vyvanse."

• sjm...
• November 7, 2010

For ADHD "I began taking this before I began any other medication. It made me more anxious and nervous. It also seemed to increase my OCD (the 'pure O' form) by making me more prone to think about my OCD. It did help me to focus on occasions, but it also made me focus on my anxieties and obsessions as well. My therapist told me that stimulants like this one and Concerta are not good for people with anxiety disorders (almost all of them), unless they have anxiety because they cannot focus and accomplish necessary tasks. I recommend talking to a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist before being prescribed stimulants for ADHD."

• sjm...
• November 7, 2010

For ADHD "I began taking this before I began any other medication. It made me more anxious and nervous. It also seemed to increase my OCD (the 'pure O' form) by making me more prone to think about my OCD. It did help me to focus on occasions, but it also made me focus on my anxieties and obsessions as well. My therapist told me that stimulants like this one and Concerta are not good for people with anxiety disorders (almost all of them), unless they have anxiety because they cannot focus and accomplish necessary tasks. I recommend talking to a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist before being prescribed stimulants for ADHD."

• Dwe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2025

For ADHD "Addy XR is the best one I have tried for my ADD. It keeps me focused, and I don't get jittery. I am going to keep using it."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2015

For ADHD "It made me more nervous than usual. It is less stimulating than Adderall IR. I decided to switch to Ritalin."