viloence or anger? | ADHD Information
My son who is normally a sweet kid, was put on adderall when his concerta stopped working. Well let me tell you he turned into a big mean monster, the mouth and violence he showed was horrible. He would fist fight with anyone and everyone in his way. I kept telling the Dr. and he was like give it time, i said no he's horrible. Finally with a little help from the school and family members he listened and said sorry i didn't realize how bad it was. He's back on concerta but a very high dose, but for my son this is the only medicine that works for him, and he's been on a lot since five.im only on 5 mg do you think thats going to make a big difference? Kids that are normally a little annoying have been a lot more annoying recently, i dont know if thats cuase of summer or somthing or cause of the adderall. im easily irritated [QUOTE=carpediem]
I'm not being judgemental, just matter of fact.
[/QUOTE]Are you kidding me? I may have just ADDed my way thru your post but I respectfully disagree.
While I agree with a lot of what you're saying, the absence of any negative reaction to life would seem to indicate to me that you're not living much of a life ;0) I have said exactly the same thing at times in my life, only to find myself discovering new depths of negativity in the future....so I stopped being so certain.
I say this as a person who gets people angry and pissed off for a living (or at least, a low paid hobby). Anyone can get angry. One of the things I've found myself doing over time is purposely pushing very professional managers I've had into child like tantrums - for some reason I find it hysterically funny to push peoples buttons.
I agree with you about responsibility, that doesnt negate the existence of anger. I dont feel it is unhealthy to get angry. I think its unhealthy to attack another person, but harnessed negativity used creatively can lead to some great accomplishments.
Eh, i'm unfocused and rambling..
I can't really control it when i get that way Eep93, but i have enough control to smash reasonably cheap and non-living things.
I tend to get very irritable when my wife is after a hard day or something.. at that point she annoys the hell out of me and i get VERY pissed, the Adderall has very much increased it to that level.
But, there's just enough control for me to karate kick a door in half instead of going after the wife (it's a thin line between things you know).
Of course, fixing doors pisses me off as well :)
Uncontrolled negative emotions are evidence of weak character. Nobody makes someone explode in anger. If you explode in rage, it's because you allowed it to progress to that. If you believe Adderall is making you more irritable and your temper less controllable, then stop taking it and ask for a different medication.
There is no excuse for uncontrolled anger, rage, temper, etc. Especially when it involves inflicting it on other people, either one way or bi-directional (it takes two to play that game). It is exactly like the behavior of a child throwing a tantrum, one who has not learned to control their emotions. Unfortunately many, many (millions and millions) of adults are like children when it comes to their emotions.
There are hundreds of popular self-help books and audio books from distinguished authors that all say the same thing: the key to happiness (and success) is learning to control and dismiss negative emotions. Success lies in positive thinking. The same concepts date back several thousand years to ancient Eastern and Western philosophy.
I know of what I speak for I spent many years that way (irresponsible behaviors, uncontrolled emotions). It involves the willful denial of personal responsibility. Persons who engage in strong negative emotions are in need of self-improvement, meditation, acceptance of personal responsibility, possibly counseling and, in rare cases, medication.
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I live in a nice SOHO loft in a building at the edge of a high-rise business district and a lower income residential district. I like fresh air so I often have windows open. From my 5th floor window, I can regularly observe the most amazing, outrageous, childish behaviors from adults. It's easy to know when something's up since loud, angry voices are a dead giveaway.
For some reason, people walking on city street sidewalks hardly ever look up. I can watch people arguing like idiots. Or throwing outrageous tantrums over parking tickets ... like destroying their own umbrella while ineffectually beating a NO PARKING ANY TIME sign that they parked right next to ... and which if they had bothered to read it earlier would have caused them to avoid the ticket. Cause of rage: failure to accept reality and denial of personal responsibility.
Or a couple arguing and some girl in her late 20s in a pretty dress screaming and crying and rolling around on the street in a fit while her guy is strolling away down the sidewalk, already half a block away and feigning an air of "I'm not with that wacko". Once she realizes it's not working, then she's up and goes after him, screaming nasty things at him, and when she catches up tries to get him to 'want' or 'like' her again. After that nutcase behavior? I don't think so. I'm sure the asphalt did wonders for her dress.
Every single week I have the privilege of seeing adults acting like stupid, irresponsible, tantrum-throwing children. Sometimes 2 or 3 times in a day, especially Friday and Saturday evenings/nights (bar nights) ... many spectacular, hurtful and completely ridiculous arguments happen then. An officer once heard on a COPS episode: "He's probably a nice guy as your neighbor. But just add alcohol ... instant jerk."
These observations of immature, out-of-control adult behavior have done wonders for my own peace of mind since I see so many examples of how NOT TO BEHAVE. Learn to control what you think and how you act. (And how you react.)
Learn to be happy. All the time. 
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I'm not being judgemental, just matter of fact. Most bad behaviors can be traced to one's own upbringing. Habitual negative emotions witnessed in one's own parents or other family members, physical or verbal abuse, teasing at school, etc. There are many reasons why people develop bad emotional behaviors. Children are easily taught such bad emotional acting out since they see it in so many others.
But once adulthood is reached, it isn't anyone else's responsibility any more. There aren't any excuses. It is up to one self to manage one's own life. If someone likes having the emotions of a child, then so be it. If they are a simpleton and unaware of their immaturity, that's just unfortunate. But for persons who value their mental health, and sincerely want to be a good and happy person with a good character, it is job number one to understand one's own negative emotions (especially habitual reactions) and learn to deal with them. To detect, control, diminish and eliminate irresponsible negative emotions.
Peace.
I have always had a terrible temper and an awful tendency to assume the worst case scenario and over-react. Its cost me jobs, cost me my happiness, almost cost me my marriage.
I've found the Adderall calms me down in terms of temper. I'm able to cope with the tiny little obstacles the world puts in our way on a daily basis without freaking out. I deal with things and move on more quickly, more decisively and without as many resentments toward the person or institution who put the little obstacle in my way. Perhaps most importantly, I feel able to handle my own stuff enough to pay more attention to my spouses stuff and help her out.
She sees I'm trying and it just makes for a better scene. The rolling snowball of anger and resentmenthas been reversed.
Now I've had this ADD a long time, and I've failed at enough things despite good intentions that I'm not ready to declare total victory just yet, but I'm happy today when I used to be angry and unhappy.
I have a pretty hefty temper, and while Adderall XR has made me more 'mellow', when i do get pissed off, it's to a degree of doors breaking in half..if your concious of that can you do prevent it
My experience is that Adderall did increase my irritability. After a few months however, it seemed to be significantly reduced. I can't be sure whether it was a lessened biochemical irritability or simply better self control.
I was aware that I could be more easily agitated by things. This is a recognized side effect from amphetamine. But my awareness and conscious attention to controlled agitation and anger, may have been the principal reason that after a few months I no longer experienced increased irritability.
As eep93 said, if you are aware of a negative response behavior, you can work to understand, control and diminish it.
Consider these audio programs: Brian Tracy's "Action Strategies for Personal Achievement", Dale Carnegie's "Stop Worrying, Start Living" (narr. Andrew McMillan), and Lucinda Bassett's "Attacking Anxiety & Depression". Some can be found at libraries or association lending clubs. You can also get deals on them on eBay. Carnegie's "Stop Worrying" on CDs is only at Amazon. Well worth it.
Brian Tracy is an outstanding character development and success speaker.
Adderall can make you angry &/or violent when coming down, it is called the rebound effect. It was really bad with my son & we switched to Strattera & had no rebound.My son, who is easily upset as it is, was on Adderall, and although it helped him the most (out of all the others) with focusing, the rebound effect was horrible. Unfortunately, I didn't know anything about "rebound effects" with Adderall and was ready to pull my hair out, thinking he was just one big emotional mess. He's still not "easy" off of it, but I believe I see a difference. By the way, his school's counselor said she has had numerous cases of parents saying Adderall made their SON'S go nuts at home once the meds wore off. We've now gone the "alternative" route with this. I have no idea what to expect.
Leigh_GA_6638514.5050810185Does adderall make you angry or violent? normaly im calm but when im on adderall i become easily frusterated or impatient...today there were some younger kids who started to annoy me so i shipped a bottle of coke at his face...not normal activity.