Ritalin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2022

For ADHD "I'm not sure if I got prescribed a dose that was too high for me, but while I was on the medication, I experienced derealization, severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, absolutely no appetite at all, and stayed in bed most of the day. One of the worst medications I've been on."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2022

For ADHD "The 5 mg tablets are okay. The first month on it, it wasn’t bad at all, very productive, a few side effects like hunger and sadness. I would say a 6/10 for the 5 mg tablets. The XR/LA was absolutely the worst experience, though. Headaches, stomach aches, constantly frantic feeling, gassy, bathroom trips every time I ate, bloating, anxiety, extremely irritated, I always felt on the verge of a mental breakdown, poor digestion, poor sleep. I would sleep for 10 hours on XR and wake up feeling like I never slept. This should be used to torture people. I have a month supply, and I will be throwing away the medication, I actually can’t take these. I normally run 3x a week and work out 5x a week for my job. I have barely done any physical activity on XR. My life has gone very downhill, very fast. They really aren't addictive, at least the XR isn’t."

• Fta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2020

For ADHD "Slightly improves my working memory, noticed I'm not forgetting things so much, can pay attention when people are explaining things to me too. Initially was making me jittery, but that has gone away now. Unfortunately, it makes me extremely nauseous, so I'd like to change meds."

• dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2023

For ADHD "I'm 23. Was put on Ritalin SR 20 mg to treat ADHD every morning around 8 or 9 a.m. I had adverse reactions. I was shaky, anxious, irritable. Around 2 p.m. every day, I'd be crying and having a panic attack. Around day 3 or 4, I started having suicidal and self-harming thoughts I've never had before. I only took this med for 5 days because it made my mental health worse rather than better. Would not recommend."

• Sar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 17, 2016

For ADHD "I was first given Ritalin at 6 years old. Ritalin made it hard for me to sleep. Being on Ritalin made me feel nauseous. Ritalin caused tremors in my arms. Being forced to take Ritalin made me self-conscious. Ritalin increased my anxiety. My anxiety turned into panic attacks, so I was prescribed antidepressants like Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Effexor. I was also prescribed Lamictal, an anti-convulsant. For me, Ritalin was the 'gateway drug.'"

• ADH...
• January 1, 2022

For ADHD "The doc told me to start half a tab. 10 mg is full. I was on the 10 mg in a few days, mind you. It perked me up at first, but very focused and more organized for certain. I haven't yet had appetite issues because I'm on my period now. I take one in the a.m. with sertraline 100 mg as per usual the past year. I find I am way too relaxed and almost restful-minded. Although I can sit still now and do nothing as opposed to constantly finding weird tasks to do around the house. I drink alcohol with it, no worries. Although not as much as I used to. I don't feel like it. I used to walk fast, now I walk slow, lol. I needed white noise to sleep, now I can just sleep with silence. Hated loud noises and flies, but now I don't stress about them. I tried to stop taking them after 10 days, but I went anxiety and heart fast, so I took half and was all good, but again very relaxed."

• Cal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

For ADHD "I'm recently diagnosed with ADHD (ADD). I've tried Ritalin and Dexedrine. Dexedrine is absolutely amazing, but also expensive, and I find that if I don't take a break of 1-2 days per week, it stops working entirely and can even make things (much) worse. I initially didn't like Ritalin, as it gave me crazy headaches, hard comedowns, and, on one occasion, anxiety. However, I think this is important: Just because Ritalin isn't great straight away, it doesn't mean it's a bad drug. Over the last few weeks, I've grown very fond of it. I still don't like the LA, but 5 mg IR 2-3 times per day is currently perfect for me, and I now have zero side effects. I feel good, energized, and clear-headed. Ritalin is cheap, and IR is super flexible in terms of dosing. Dexedrine makes me feel even better for longer, but it's pricey and requires breaks. I currently prefer Ritalin for everyday use and Dexedrine perhaps once or twice per week. Best of luck."

• Mac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2020

For ADHD "I have ADHD and started taking Ritalin two weeks ago. I am also diagnosed with severe anxiety. I take 10 mg twice a day, and sometimes it makes me very anxious, and I always forget to eat. I hope this will wear off soon, but right now every day is a struggle. I am much more focused, though..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2023

For Narcolepsy "I have to take medication to sleep, which makes me groggy in the morning, and I was falling asleep at the wheel. I used to take Geodon, also for schizoaffective disorder. Was prescribed Ritalin, and it did help me wake up, and it was easy to get to work on time. However, it made my paranoia and anxiety so much worse. Everyone was out to get me, plotting against me, etc. Had awful anxiety 24/7. Quit Geodon, and now I’m on trazodone and Seroquel, without them, I can’t sleep, but again it’s hard to wake up in the morning. I miss being able to wake up easily with Ritalin, but I don’t miss the paranoia and anxiety."

• MGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

For ADHD "Let me start off by saying I suffer from anxiety to start with on top of my ADHD. Ritalin made me feel more anxious and jittery."

• MGa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

For ADHD "Let me start off by saying I suffer from anxiety to start with on top of my ADHD. Ritalin made me feel more anxious and jittery."

• mrk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2023

For ADHD "Makes me cold and on edge. No one else has these symptoms. Strange. Helps but irregularly, and I'm quitting and going to try Adderall. Marijuana helps with the edginess."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2021

For ADHD "Ritalin really helped with my ADHD, but it was really bad for my anxiety. Unfortunately, the increased anxiety wasn't worth it for me, so I had to discontinue."