Vyvanse and Depression: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sam...
• February 10, 2017

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADD, and my doctor recommended me to take Vyvanse 40mg. The first day, I took it around 6:00 am, and it started to work about an hour in. I was able to focus very well and was a lot more sociable. However, the good effects of the medicine only lasted for 5 hours, and then everything went downhill, and I felt depressed. My heart was beating faster than usual, dry mouth, and I had no desire for food. The next day, thinking it would be better, it didn't kick in until around 2:00 pm and only lasted for a few hours. Sometimes, it would leave me feeling very antisocial and agitated. Today is my last day taking it because it hasn't worked for me at all today. I wasn't hungry all day, felt very sweaty, nervous, agitated, out of breath."

• Ano...
• June 24, 2018

For ADHD "I am a 30-year-old female, 177 lbs, who is prescribed Vyvanse for binge eating disorder and ADHD. It did not help ADHD, so the doctor kept upping the dosage, stating that was the reason it wasn't helping. It did help BED. I experienced these side effects from the beginning (20 mg), with each increase, they became more overwhelming. As I hit 50 mg, I became so severely depressed I could not socialize, experienced depersonalization, detachment from myself, my life, my friends. No pleasure in anything. No sex drive. Almost lost my job. I began having reoccurring thoughts that I just wanted to die. It dawned on me that all of these symptoms appeared and worsened over the course of time I've been taking Vyvanse. I stopped taking it 5 days ago and have been able to experience moments of joy, socialize, and contribute to conversations without feeling as though I don't recognize myself. I've also been on antidepressants in the past, and none of them worked either."

• Ano...
• June 24, 2018

For ADHD "I am a 30-year-old female, 177 lbs, who is prescribed Vyvanse for binge eating disorder and ADHD. It did not help ADHD, so the doctor kept upping the dosage, stating that was the reason it wasn't helping. It did help BED. I experienced these side effects from the beginning (20 mg), with each increase, they became more overwhelming. As I hit 50 mg, I became so severely depressed I could not socialize, experienced depersonalization, detachment from myself, my life, my friends. No pleasure in anything. No sex drive. Almost lost my job. I began having reoccurring thoughts that I just wanted to die. It dawned on me that all of these symptoms appeared and worsened over the course of time I've been taking Vyvanse. I stopped taking it 5 days ago and have been able to experience moments of joy, socialize, and contribute to conversations without feeling as though I don't recognize myself. I've also been on antidepressants in the past, and none of them worked either."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2016

For ADHD "This pill is very effective and has its ups and downs. I took this med back in 2014 for my ADHD and stopped completely in 2015 due to the side effects. I am currently taking it again, and it has changed me completely. PROS: *You can concentrate incredibly. *You get work done fast. *It makes you think twice. *Lose weight (if you're interested in that). CONS: *You get paranoid. *You feel nauseated the whole time. *You become very antisocial. *You get aggravated very quickly. *People always think you're sad or something's wrong. *APPETITE IS GONE. *You get sad fairly quick. *Everything bothers you. *It's very hard to get or stay happy. *It gets hard to fall asleep. This is my 2nd month back on it, and there has been a substantial change in me already."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2014

For ADHD "I've been almost 3 years taking 30 mg. Initially, it was sporadic. Now I just need it daily to function properly. Until one year ago, I took Lexapro 10 mg, Xanax 1 or 2 mg/day. Now I had to increase Xanax to 4 mg per day and sometimes Rohypnol to try to get some sleep. I feel really depressed, and it's getting worse, also easily angry, that didn't occur when I took Lexapro, but my psychiatrist didn't think it was necessary to take it any longer. I have to make major efforts to overcome suicidal thoughts. Have awful tremors and recently an unusual chest pain."

• Meg...
• July 25, 2011

For ADHD "Vyvanse changed my life for the better. I've been taking it for almost 2 years now, and I honestly don't know where my life would be headed or where I'd end up without it. But looking at the direction it was going in before I got diagnosed with ADD, I wouldn't have gone far and probably ended up as a loser. I can finally read a book and know what I read or do my homework on my own! Since this medication, I stopped making stupid choices and went from D's to all B's. It helped my depression, and it changed my life dramatically. My relationship with my friends and family has grown stronger. Before Vyvanse, I pictured my future as a druggy. Now I have a job, and I am looking forward to becoming a vet."

• ADH...
• June 26, 2011

For ADHD "My 6 yr old son started on an ADHD regimen about 8 months ago. We started on Concerta, increased dosage 3 different times, and switched to Vyvanse. We have increased it to 30 mg, and it still is not working. However, now the moodiness, extreme sadness, and impulsiveness are much worse while on Vyvanse. I really am considering just dealing with the ADHD without medicinal help. I feel sorry for the little guy. This is not what I want him to be like."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

For ADHD "I started Vyvanse 20 mg two weeks ago, and I was having a big crash in the afternoon. My doctor decided to increase my dose to 40 mg. For the next 3 weeks, I was wonderful, but now I'm really depressed and anxious. I don't know if it is normal or not."

• Pin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2018

For ADHD "I am 46 years old and was officially diagnosed with ADD last year. My doctor put me on Adderall. It worked wonders, as long as I remembered to take my second pill. Since my insurance did not cover the extended release, I was put on Vyvanse 54 mg, I think. My focus is longer-acting, which increases my functionality at work, however, the side effects have been unfavorable for me. I have headaches, diarrhea at least two times a day, nausea, extreme irritability, extreme dry mouth, gained seven pounds this month, feeling more depressed, and halfway through the day, I get very tired and feel like I am waiting for the second wave of medication to hit. My follow-up with my doctor is tomorrow, and I am going to request to go back to Adderall. I just think overall, I was a more pleasant and functional person. I do not want to try yet another ADD medication because I am scared of more side effects, and I had minimal side effects on Adderall. I am glad that Vyvanse helps some people, but it doesn’t work for everyone."

• Sar...
• October 11, 2016

For ADHD "I was diagnosed in 2nd grade with ADHD. I was held back in 1st grade and was not improving, so they tested my IQ. To their surprise, I tested gifted and scored extremely high on my standardized test. My doctor put me on 40 mg of Vyvanse. My grades went to straight A's, then stayed that way. It was great for my attention disorder, unfortunately, I felt all the side effects. I lost 20 pounds because I wouldn't eat, I became very antisocial and irritable, and sometimes I felt depressed. As a young kid, this bothered me because school was socially hard. I would not take my medicine, and kids would love me, I was hyper, funny, and happy. These days, my classwork would be poor. I'm now 18, and I still take it. I still have the side effects, but I do well in school."

• Wag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2017

For ADHD "A lot of people seem to get on great. 3-4 hours of intended effects is all I get. During that time, I feel more motivated, social, and can process information better. After that time, I am even worse than I was before starting the meds! Depressed, irritated, withdrawn, empty, angry, really bad. It's like the 12 hours it's supposed to last, more than half of it is just a really long come down. I will be asking for instant release Dextroamphetamine next time. I assume and hope that they will be just like the initial period of this med, which is perfect and helps with all my ADHD symptoms."

• Wag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2017

For ADHD "A lot of people seem to get on great. 3-4 hours of intended effects is all I get. During that time, I feel more motivated, social, and can process information better. After that time, I am even worse than I was before starting the meds! Depressed, irritated, withdrawn, empty, angry, really bad. It's like the 12 hours it's supposed to last, more than half of it is just a really long come down. I will be asking for instant release Dextroamphetamine next time. I assume and hope that they will be just like the initial period of this med, which is perfect and helps with all my ADHD symptoms."

• Sze...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2018

For ADHD "I took Adderall IR and Adderall XR for several years. I then switched to Vyvanse. It made me feel as if I was a zombie. I would be depressed and find myself staring into space. I also feel I need to address a comment by Mimi that stated Vyvanse and Adderall are very similar. As a pharmacologist, I can tell you they are different, albeit similar, medications. The chemical structure is different, the pharmacology is different, and on and on. So they are not bioequivalent."

• Blo...
• February 22, 2012

For ADHD "I started taking this medicine about 2 years ago now. I am on the 40 mg dose, and at first everything was great, my grades improved, and I could focus in public. But now, my loss of appetite is crazy. I'm 13, and I only weigh 82 lbs. I become very short-tempered with my friends, and I get annoyed at the littlest things. It also brings my mood way down. When I'm on my medicine, I feel depressed and anxious constantly. I still get my A's and B's in school, but I don't think it's worth all the side effects."

• GL1...
• April 15, 2009

For ADHD "I am 19 now and started taking ADD medicines when I was 17. I had used Adderall for a few months and had to stop because of the 'rebound' I got from it. It made me too agitated and easily angry/sad when coming down on it near the end of the day. I switched to Focalin XR, and it worked well for maybe another month before the same thing started happening. My doctor then wanted to try one more time, so he said there is a newer stimulant out for ADD/ADHD, and it is pretty much like a cousin of Adderall. He said there is a better chance that this won't have a negative rebound. I have been on 60 mg of Vyvanse for a few months, and I have not felt any type of negative side effects like I had before. It works great and helps me stay focused with school and work."

• Jax...
• April 17, 2012

For ADHD "My general physician first prescribed me Concerta (intermediate dosage), and it seemed to make me feel depressed, anxious, and more obsessive (thought-wise anyway). I was then prescribed Adderall XR (10 mg) and found that I would feel more productive and relaxed earlier in the day upon taking it, but then the side effects really began to hit hard. I was hesitant to continue to try another stimulant because I was actually diagnosed with anxiety (by my psychiatrist) and mild depression, and the stimulants seemed to heighten these symptoms. He then suggested that I try Vyvanse, and he also put me on Atarax (for anxiety/allergies ---weird combination, I know) in addition to Prozac. Vyvanse has been a life-saver, mild side effects, and no 'crash.'"

• NOV...
• December 29, 2015

For ADHD "Do not prescribe this to anyone! This drug should not be legal. After 2 weeks, it made me feel suicidal, which I've never been in my entire 33 years of being alive. It swung me into a severe depression and accumulated a huge amount of anxiety. This is the most unhealthy experience I have ever had. It ruined my relationship and my personality when I was taking it. I started a college class, and the doctor prescribed this to me for concentration. It made me feel like I was on speed. When I stopped taking it about 6 days later, I was a completely different person, I was finally back to normal. Please watch your children or anyone you know who may be taking this."

• Cor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 5, 2016

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADD in fourth grade, however, my doctor decided to just have the school put me on a learning program (504 Plan). Throughout the years, I started to develop depression, agitation, severe anxiety, and OCD. I had tried EVERY antidepressant, and they had all failed. My PCP started me on benzos, which helped a little. I decided it was time to go see a mental health physician assistant. She went over all my symptoms, and she immediately realized that I had been misdiagnosed and the PCP had me on about 5-6 medications. She started me on Vyvanse 40 MG, and my life has forever changed. I am generally very happy and able to function, went from severe anxiety to mild, which is helped with Valium. I recommend Vyvanse!"

• Fir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

For ADHD "I got diagnosed about a month ago with ADHD. I also have GAD, depression, and severe migraines. I was very disorganized, didn't finish tasks, depressed, super anxious. I would try to talk to someone, and my mind was elsewhere and had no idea what they were saying. I started Vyvanse 30 mg, it helped for about a week for all my symptoms, even my migraines! I could sleep like a baby at night. After that, it helped in the morning. In the afternoon, I would feel depressed, like I could cry at anything, the anxiety was still gone, but everything else came back, including the daily headaches. My doctor switched me to 60 mg. I hope it lasts longer than the 30 mg, so far, so good, it's only been 2 days. I'd recommend it."

• Unk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2022

For ADHD "I'm 22, and Vyvanse has played a big role in the many ups and downs of my life. If you plan on taking a higher dose (40 mg or more), prepare to be dependent on it. I am not a person with an addictive personality, but I am completely dependent on Vyvanse (60 mg every day). On the positive side, it has helped me considerably - I am able to complete my schoolwork more efficiently and get better grades. I'm more motivated to do things and attend to my responsibilities, and I am overall a much higher-functional human. The only problem is that without this drug, I am a complete disaster. I feel depressed, no motivation, I overeat, I become extremely on edge and can easily lose my cool and result in many impulsive and destructive actions, and before I started taking Vyvanse, I did not have these issues. Overall, the drug significantly helps me, but over a period of time, prepare to feel like a different person if you plan to stop taking it."

• Unk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2022

For ADHD "I'm 22, and Vyvanse has played a big role in the many ups and downs of my life. If you plan on taking a higher dose (40 mg or more), prepare to be dependent on it. I am not a person with an addictive personality, but I am completely dependent on Vyvanse (60 mg every day). On the positive side, it has helped me considerably - I am able to complete my schoolwork more efficiently and get better grades. I'm more motivated to do things and attend to my responsibilities, and I am overall a much higher-functional human. The only problem is that without this drug, I am a complete disaster. I feel depressed, no motivation, I overeat, I become extremely on edge and can easily lose my cool and result in many impulsive and destructive actions, and before I started taking Vyvanse, I did not have these issues. Overall, the drug significantly helps me, but over a period of time, prepare to feel like a different person if you plan to stop taking it."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2011

For ADHD "My son was on Vyvanse for 3 years. At first, the side effects were the normal irritability, obsessive thoughts, and anxiety only on the days he took the drug. His concentration and grades improved, so the benefits outweighed the side effects. The last year, though, he was increasingly negative, obsessing over negative thoughts, anxious and paranoid only on the days he took it. I think the side effects can affect kids more or less as they grow. He was very depressed for a 10-year-old. Since he's been off, he's been happier!! I think positive thoughts are more important than grades since we all know where negative thoughts lead down the road if left unchecked. Overall, the medicine is not bad, but keep a close eye on behavior."

• Don...
• July 12, 2017

For ADHD "Take Elvanse (50 mg - UK version) in the morning for the past 2 years. Meds are slow-acting and do not improve motivation or efficiency when working. There is no alternative in the UK - no Adderall - so this is the only option. This medication sucks because: 1.) It gives such a great high for the initial 15 minutes to 30 minutes, but it gives such a horrible crash that the negative feeling ruins your day. It does not help motivation, if anything, it causes depression, possibly improves concentration marginally. 2.) I have faced serious and significant weight loss. Being skinny myself, this is of course not a good thing. Currently a 5'11 male, weighing 62 kg or about 135 pounds. Am 24 years old. 3.) The medication is addictive."

• Anonymous
• October 28, 2009

For ADHD "I was originally on Concerta for my ADD and got extremely depressed and almost suicidal. I then switched to Adderall, which I took for 4 years without many problems, until I developed a tolerance to it and my dose got so high that I was getting a bunch of side effects. I tried Strattera, which did absolutely nothing and made me really sleepy. Then I switched to Vyvanse, which worked about the same as the Adderall, but I wasn't as irritable and didn't have the same loss of appetite. However, I did start to develop acne, which I didn't realize until recently was being caused by the Vyvanse. I've also developed a major dependency, if I don't take it, I have trouble doing daily tasks and I'm really tired."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2009

For ADHD "I used this medication during the last school year, but it didn't help me much. My grades were still failing, and I had no appetite. I was also very depressed. I have been off it for a while now, and my grades have significantly improved compared to what they were."