[:^(] Someone help please!! I was recently diagnosed with Adult ADHD. I am 21 years old. I have always had trouble with anxiety/panic attacks. I took Adderall 10 mg three times a day for about 2 weeks. It worked great at first then it became less effective. It DID however, almost completely resolve my anxiety which was great. My PCP upped the dose to 15mg three times a day and I have been on that for about 2 weeks. At first, I felt a small change in symptoms but only for about 5 days. Then basicly it felt like it wasn't working at all. All of my ADHD symptoms were back. I still continued the dose as usual because my PCP is very reluctant to up my dose "too soon". But yesterday, it was a stressfull day at work and that afternoon I had a horrible anxiety attack. I ended up having to go to the ER. Long story short, they calmed me down and let me go. I know that my anxiety probably stemmed from being stressed at work, but do you think it was fueled by my current dose of adderall or could it possibly be my lack of dose and the fact that all my symptoms of ADD have returned? PLEASE HELP!!!!! thanks
Getting the proper medication for ADHD, which almost always has secondary symptoms such as depression and anxiety, especially in adults, is so difficult that I swear sometimes it CAUSES ANXIETY! I tell you one thing I do is keep a written record of all effects of my medications and mood cycles right down to the time of day I experience them. I take this list to my doctor at each visit. I am currently on 30 mg Dexedrine, the extended release, which has caused a myriad of problems including agitation and irritability. When I first started taking it, I was even paranoid at times. I was just able to control my impulse to act on my feelings.
Even with all of this and six months of trying various doses and adding lexapro to "help" with mood and anxiety, I am still having difficulty getting my doctor to switch my medication. Perhaps you could ask your doctor if he/she thinks it would be a good idea to prescribe a mood stabilizer like Abilify or Lexapro, which incidentally does help with anxiety.
I don't know if your prescribing physician is a psychiatrist or not, but if not, and you see a psychologist, talk to him/her about the problems you are having. My psychologist is very good about faxing recommendations to my doctor. Naturally, she listens to the shrink more than she listens to me.
No matter what, keep trying until you get it right. It could take a while and I mean months to find the right medication or combination of medications that work best for you. Don't give up. I'm not going to. Good luck!
I have been taking Lexapro for almost five years for anxiety. I just started taking Adderall XR about 2 months ago. The psychiatrist slowly has increased me to 30mg. I have only been taking that dose for a few days. I too feel like I am not even sure if the Adderall is working. I really don't feel anything- even during the increases, except for the first day on 30mg. The only time I notice it working is when it has worn off and my old brain comes back. So, I am not certain that Adderall is the right med for me.
From my experience, living the symptoms of ADD can cause a lot of anxiety! I agree that writing everything down is a great idea. Maybe if you can back track, try to estimate your anxiety levels before starting Adderall.
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