I have been on Adderall for three years now, being 21 years old, I was 'diagnosed' with ADD after my first semester of college and have taken it about 5 times a week since, 25xr. I don't normally take it during the summer, but now it's beginning to feel like I cannot get out of bed in the mornings without it. I am also paranoid and my social relationships have drastically changed, as well as my romantic relationships. I feel depressed in between times of taking it and although when I first began taking it I lost weight, I have now gained an incredible amount of weight. When I first started taking Adderall, I weighed 115 pounds, I'm 5'6", and I now weigh 135. Maybe it is because of years of not eating for days on Adderall then having to eat a lot on days when I don't take it. Has anyone else experienced any of these symptoms? All I hear about this drug is its wonders for the scatter-minded, but the long term effects are devastating. Is my case a rare and exceptional one?
my friend has to take adderall but I havent seen him get the side affects like you.....he takes it to calm him down... so i dont know.
Hi, I just started my 4th month on Adderall. My shrink prescribed 20mg, 2X per day, along with an antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression. I take the first dose at waking and the second dose at lunch. He gives me enough so that I can take it every day, but says I can take a break on weekends or days off. The tablets are instant-release and double-scored, so they can be broken in half, and he recommended taking a half dose if 20 seems too much. Adderall isn't FDA approved for depression treatment, but a lot of doctors are prescribing it, along with an an antidepressant such as Zoloft to depressed people. The two drugs work together quite well. You might want to talk to your doc about taking your Adderall during the summer, so you don't get bummed out.
Adderal is a stimulant which is chemically similiar to methamphetamines. This explains the getting out of bed and generally feeling depressed when not on it. It is not physically as addictive as meth, but you will notice a lack of "pep" when you don't take it. Getting diagnosed right after starting college is pretty common. It does wonders for studying and many people who are borderline ADD/just need an academic boost use it for such. As someone who has gone through college and now sees alot of students using adderall in college, I feel that most of these people could be successful with a regimented plan of self-discipline and hard work. There are a few that really do need adderall, but the percentages are lower than the number of prescriptions. Any of these stimulants is nasty in the long term. What you find in children who have been on it since very young is an increased incidence of tics and tourettes. The side effects of long terms use are basically dialed down versions of the effect of methapetamine use. The problem is that adderall doesn't fix the underlying conditions of encourage people to use non-chemical methods to manage ADD. Then you get people who have to be on it for 10+ years and you start getting the side effects.
Thanks Appaloosa, but I'm really looking for an alternative to using any drugs, I don't like the long term effects of amphetamines. ahimsa, I think according to the description of the disorder of ADD I've definitely had a severe case my entire life, I am unbelievably forgetful and must always be moving and changing from task to task while never fully finishing one or the other. I want to get off of Adderall, but I don't know if the damage is too great or if I am already dependent on it for life. I am scared to talk to my doctor because he may take away my prescription, and then end up not being able to handle things without the Adderall. Are these negative effects permanent? If I stop taking it will I eventually feel like my old self again if I can get through the first months without it? I also love smoking weed, but the more I use Adderall the more I find it only increases my paranoia, which is awful!.. it used to help me relax after being so amped up all day.
Yes, the mental changes can be permanent. Once you have brain changes, you have brain changes. I don't know your particular case, so I won't say whether or not adderall is the ONLY option. I will say it is one of the most highly over prescribed drugs. Of course it makes you feel better and more focused. It does the same thing for people without any focus problems. The bottom line is that you can probably manage your attention without it. It will take discipline. Even it it is setting your timer for 10 minutes. You have to sit for 10 minutes at your desk, even if you're not working, before you allow yourself to get up. The non chemical way is not the easy way, which is why most people choose chemicals. Like I've said. Adderall is not a cure. it is something that you'll need to be on, in increasing dosages, for the rest of your life if you want to continue having the same effects. Do you want to be on something that is chemically related to meth for 20-30-40 years?
Good points. And I wouldn't want anyone to go down my path if there was a better one: I'm 36 now, and I've been taking antidepressants since I was 18 and in college. Going natural would be the best - I'm sure you'll be able to either wean down or get by without the addies.
you might not be able to go back to your old self 100% because adderall is mind altering. so is weed too. weed alters a person perceptions so even after quiting herbs your brain is changed. but what will help you relax and what will help you get focus when your not on drugs, you ask? well the answer is intense exercise and a focus activity such as sports. basically I recommend you start running. start light and slowly work yourself up till you can run long distances. make your long term goal to be able to run 4 miles 3 days a week. running is a meditation and increases a persons mental focus and also releases a relaxing natural endorphin that relaxing both the mind and body once finished. sure it's easy to be lazy but trust me give it a try and soon you'll notice it's benifets. also along with the running do simple room exercises such as situps, squats, pushups, and maybe do some yoga or stretching. also taking the time to get good at any sport is good for both mental focus and relaxation. even if you don't enjoy sports if you take the time to get good at one you will trust me. don't expect to be super good at first. try something like bad mitton. or try tennis
