depression or add? | ADHD Information

its been over a week and half stopping my ritalin becuase i thought it was making me depressed, and i have sunk right back into a depression.

i feel as if i want to sleep all damn day and have no energy for anything but gazing at the tv all day while lying down. this is no good at all, and i now realize i have a serious underlying depression that must get treated again.  my doctor 4 months ago told me i have add and at the time i was taking paxil 20mg, told me to get off the paxil and onto ritalin. problem is, my depression rebounded and the ritalin was fizzling because of it.

i dont have a doctor here in israel and need to get to one asap and they are all so lousy here. my biggest question now, is that if alot of people who have add also have depression, who says that the depression isnt mimiking the symptoms of add? i mean they are very similar, poor concentration, anxiety, memory problems, sleep problems, social and behavioural problems. i am just scared to go back on ritalin and anti depressants at the same time. however, it could be the right combo i have needed for years and just never had the chance to get at it.

i am thinking perhaps, wellbutrin with ritalin might do the trick, but i am no doctor and have to see one asap here.

just my 3 cents.

avi

 

Avi,

Sorry to hear you're not doing well. 

We did a poll on here a few days ago about add and depression, and I think all but one person indicated they have also experienced depression. 

I wish I had some advice for you but I'm not a doctor either. 

Is it possible to find a doctor in Isreal that did their studies in the U.S. - I think the U.S. doctors might be a little ahead on mental health issues.  Obviously, that's just my opinion.

[QUOTE=AviO] ... my biggest question now, is that if alot of people who have add also have depression, who says that the depression isnt mimiking the symptoms of add? i mean they are very similar, poor concentration, anxiety, memory problems, sleep problems,
social and behavioural problems. i am just scared to go back on ritalin and anti depressants at the same time. however, it could be the right combo i have needed for years and just never had the chance to get at it.

i am thinking perhaps, wellbutrin with ritalin might do the trick, but i am no doctor and have to see one asap here.

just my 3 cents.[/QUOTE]

Hi Avi! I know I've had ADHD continuously since early childhood, but the depression has been on and off since my teen years. And I'm sure the depression has been due to living with undiagnosed/untreated ADHD. And even treating my depression with antidepressants has not treated all my symptoms of ADHD, which I think has gotten worse as I've gotten older.

I've been on Paxil for a while for depression, and just recently started treatment for ADHD with Concerta, which I think may just be beginning to help with some of the effects of ADHD. Of course, I'm going to have to work just as hard as the meds.    It took several antidepressants to find one that worked well with me.

Just remember, as I'm sure you're aware, every one is different on different meds...so Wellbutrin may or may not be right for you. But I hope you find a doctor and one who can try what they think may be best for you.

Happy Purim!