Methylphenidate for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• sam...
• March 12, 2016

"It has changed my life. I have been more active and focused on my goals. I am taking 70 mg of it a day. None of the ordinary antidepressants have helped me to overcome my depression. I have had a problem with substance abuse. So, my dopamine level was so low since then."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2019

"I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 30s, as well as potential narcolepsy. I was prescribed methylphenidate extended release, and it has helped me with more than ADHD. I have had anxiety and depression since my early teens. When I take methylphenidate, I feel very calm. It has helped decrease anxiety and stress. I don’t feel overwhelmed and depressed. This is in addition to it helping my ADHD. Absolutely no crash on the extended release. I don’t even know I’m on it, other than I’m more relaxed. I would definitely recommend someone trying this medication for anxiety and depression. It has changed my life."

• Lfr...
• January 8, 2015

"I have suffered with major depression for some 20 years, and took nearly all other antidepressants out there. Started taking 20mg methylphenidate CR daily plus 10-20mg Ritalin in the afternoon and never felt better. Still can't work, and have a few side effects, but all in all things have improved."

• Cyc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2019

"Methylphenidate didn't cure my depression; I'm still depressed. But it removes the impact of depression on my everyday life. I'm more confident, outgoing, and am able to get engaged in everyday activities. SSRIs have no positive effects for me. I think Ritalin is as good as it's going to get. It may help keep you engaged if you've got lots of responsibilities, allowing time to work through things without becoming unengaged in life."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2016

"I've been taking this for exactly 7 months. It helps a lot! During the first month, I had side effects. It's the best antidepressant I've tried. I take 10 mg twice per day. Occasionally, I take a day off."

• Sus...
• September 25, 2019

"I have treatment-resistant depression on and off for the past 6 years. I never had a history of depression until these episodes started at age 54. I have had 3 major episodes where I had to take a LOA from work for 4 months while the psychiatrist tried every medication cocktail. Finally, Abilify brought me back to life the first time. The next episode was Methylphenidate, which was ineffective, but I don’t think I gave it a chance. The third episode was 2 years ago, and Methylphenidate gave me my joy and allowed me to engage in life again. I am worried about the long-term effects of being on this drug as it is going on 3 years. It has become less effective with time. I can tell when it’s time to take my next immediate-release dose."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2016

"I've gone through a whole slew of antidepressants over the last years, and the only things that had helped at all were Wellbutrin (barely any improvement, but some) and Abilify (great improvement that completely disappeared after 2 months). Finally, my doctor put me on methylphenidate, currently up to 60 mg a day, and while it's not a magic cure-all, it's been a fairly decent improvement, and it's lasted for almost 4 months now."

• Kd5...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2016

"Ritalin has helped greatly with breakthrough depression, however, the effects are not as predictable as I expected. I'm on a generic. It helps the morning depression, which is the worst. However, sometimes it seems to vary in its ability to get me going."

• mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 5, 2014

"I was diagnosed with ADD (later amended to anxiety/depression) at university and went through the gamut of drugs (Ritalin, Dexedrine, Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac) alone and combined. I hated the wait time for the meds to work and hated the wait time for the horrible side effects to wear off. I had nausea, insomnia, extreme weight loss, extreme sweating, and blurry vision to name a few. Later, a psychotherapist suggested Ritalin and clonazepam used together, and it changed my life. I could concentrate during the day and sleep at night. In Canada, I could only get a psychiatrist to prescribe this for me. Doctors wouldn't do it, warning of the possibilities of abuse, etc. Doctors here push the newer drugs, but I found these worked great!!"

• Sti...
• November 7, 2016

"I've been on Celexa and a fentanyl patch for a few years during and after battling cancer. But the fatigue from pain meds and antidepressants left me feeling so tired throughout the workday. I was to the point of almost falling asleep at the wheel driving home from work. Weekends consisted of laying around doing nothing, losing all interest in even going for a haircut on Saturday. I asked my oncologist about Ritalin, and he put me on 20 mg three times a day. I had no idea how well it cured my depression as well as kept me going throughout the day without feeling tired at all! I never thought the Celexa worked for my depression and wonder if I should talk to my doctor now about weaning myself off the Celexa and just go with the Ritalin."

• Ran...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 5, 2017

"With multiple spinal surgeries accompanied by anxiety and depression, I have been on multiple antidepressants and anxiolytics for 4 decades. Tricyclics, SSRIs with Seroquel added in for sleep made me a fat, unmotivated, anhedonic waste of space. A psych ARNP put me on up to 40 mg methylphenidate twice a day, clonazepam 0.5 mg up to 3 times a day, and 150 mg of trazodone at bedtime. Lost weight, hit the gym, returned to work, and actually engaged in life again. Once more, I have the range of affect that the other meds stole. It may be atypical, but it sure is working for me!!!"

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2016

"I have bipolar disorder. Eleven months in a year, major depression and one month mania. No laughter in my life. After seven years, I tested just 10 mg of Ritalin, and my life changed. Ritalin makes me happy. Twenty mg two times a day is a perfect dosage for me. But I am NOT suggesting Ritalin for all bipolar patients because of the risk of mania. Nobody likes hospitalization. It is better to inform your family that you intend to use Ritalin."

• Pep...
• June 19, 2018

"Multiple depression meds either never worked or stopped working, so we finally started stimulants. It has been a Godsend! After years of trying so many worthless meds, Ritalin started working by the third day. I was awake in mind and body. Haven't had bad side effects except for talking a lot and fast. I take two 10 mg in the AM and one around 5-6 PM. Hoping to up the PM dose to 2 also, as it is very obvious when the Ritalin is wearing off; it's like the Energizer Bunny when its battery is dying."

• Lab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

"Bipolar II for 30 years, with the depressive phase being treatment resistant. Have tried many, many antidepressants and mood stabilizers, as well as ECT. My psychiatrist finally prescribed Adderall 30 mg to my current regime: Zoloft 300, Latuda 40, Epival 1000, Lithium 900. I felt the effects of Adderall within a couple of hours and had the most productive and pleasant day in over a year. I didn't feel too hyped up, and I was able to sleep. (I made sure I gave myself enough wind-down time and self-care.) It is an appetite suppressant for sure, but mostly just makes me take the time to make better food choices. Hope that helps, it is certainly helping me."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2011

"I was diagnosed with ADD at the age of 30. Ritalin has changed my life, and I'm not sure I could function as an independent adult without it at this point. I am now able to set goals and follow through with them. My mood is more stable, I look forward to waking up in the morning again, and it doesn't affect my appetite too much. You do need to make sure you find your dose for optimal results. I feel Vyvanse works better but is too expensive for me at this time, and it takes away my appetite and keeps me up too late."

• Bri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 11, 2024

"I am in love with this drug for treatment-resistant depression. It definitely gives my antidepressants a lift without causing weight gain. I’ve tried almost everything, even ECT, but Methylphenidate in combination with my two antidepressants works wonders from the first dose."

• Dav...
• November 12, 2017

"I was first diagnosed with chronic depression, other causes were also examined, among others, manic depression, Asperger's and ADHD. It turns out it is ADHD, and Ritalin helps with ADHD. So if ADHD is the cause of your depression, Ritalin is the med for you. In other words, I would suggest that all those with depression who are helped by methylphenidate, like for instance Ritalin, see a licensed psychiatrist and check for ADHD. The sooner you get diagnosed, the better your life will be."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2018

"I'm a 60-year-old female. Had depression and debilitating anxiety for 20 years. I've been on and off Zoloft all those years. Zoloft helps my depression. When I was off it, I was miserable and couldn't get out of bed. I'm on it now and staying on it. For anxiety, I've tried Ativan, it works well, but because of the horrors of addiction and coming off them, I only take them when things are out of my control, e.g., sudden death in the family or I think I may end up in the ED again because of anxiety. I've had Endep, it didn't work. Parnate, anxiety was through the roof, my mind was a mess, and bad headaches. I tried Pristiq. No sleep at all, constipation, headaches, and was so tired I wanted to cry. It didn't help my anxiety at all. My psychiatrist gave me a script for Concerta (slow release) 18 mg. One a day, early morning. I took it this morning, expecting all sorts of side effects. It's 2 pm, and I've had the best day in over 5 months. So far, so good!"

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2018

"Have been on an antidepressant off and on for a long time now, but for only short periods. This episode has lasted almost 3 years, with me under continuous psychiatric care but with no improvement. Ultimately, I chucked the meds and tried to improve by sheer will - with little luck. I found this and am now doing great."

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 22, 2023

Methylphenidate "I have had treatment-resistant depression (TRD) for 8 years now and tried multiple medications to help. I was prescribed 5 mg to be taken six times a day of Ritalin, and it has turned my life around. Within an hour, it was working, and the effects are still profound almost two years later. I pair it with magnesium on days it doesn't hit as well, and I'm back to new. Should be prescribed for more serious depressives. Just look at the reviews here for it. Zero withdrawals ever."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2024

"Antidepressants helped my depressive thoughts, but I still had no motivation to leave the bed at all to the point I couldn’t keep a job or go to school. Methylphenidate is the only thing that has been able to get me out of bed. Thank God for this! I take Escitalopram 10mg and Ritalin 40mg. Downsides include feeling more irritable, having more difficulty sleeping, and sometimes experiencing anxiety. However, it's controllable - taking it early in the morning can help avoid sleep issues, and having patience when feeling irritated is key. Considering what it does for me, I am willing to tolerate these side effects. I don’t feel wired, instead, I feel normal but motivated. I have not sensed any dependency either."

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

"Supposed to be improved Concerta. I took Concerta and it lasted 4 hours, and then I crashed with terrible depression. This gives initial and minor uplift for a couple of hours, and then depression sets in. Haven't found articles on why it doesn't work on certain people, but I really don't like it. Want to go back to Vyvanse."

• The...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2018

"Was given this and then Concerta, the extended release of this. It worked great after all other meds failed at getting me out of bed and feeling alive again, but there are some side effects. I had to take some Xanax to combat jitteriness/anxiety, and then I had to deal with some irritability. Besides that, it's been the best working. It makes my son less hyper because he has ADHD, but for me, it gives energy. Very strange how everyone's body is different. I recommend at least trying this if all other meds fail."

• Gol...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 18, 2021

"I was diagnosed with bipolar 41 years ago and suffered many depressed episodes that would not go away with antidepressants. Tried them all. My psychiatrist prescribed methylphenidate to “boost” my antidepressant medication, and it worked. It is commonly known as a partner to antidepressant therapy. Well, it works great! My mood is good, energy is up, and I feel so much better. I take 20 mg twice per day. So if you suffer from depression, ask your doctor about adding methylphenidate to your daily routine. It has been a lifesaver."

• CF3...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2024

"I have found methylphenidate to be a key factor in my mood and in helping to lift my depression. When I don't use it, everything is much more difficult to do, and my tears come much easier for no reason at all. I think everyone should be able to use this medication when it comes to TRD."