Stimulants and Anti-Depressants

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard that there are some treatments for ADD that the meds used are anti-depressants. Any one have any thoughts. I know I’m not depressed what I my Doctor suggests an anti-depressant. Is it a proper treatment? I know this probably has been asked before I just cannot find it on the forum.

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[turbo]

From what I’ve read, one anti-depressant which has been prescribed “off label” for ADD issues with some success is “wellbutrin”, which is also known as Buproprion.

I’ve read that the Effexor, which is an SSRI, has also been used although I reacted VERY badly to it.

Strattera is a current front line med for ADD treatment, which started out being developed as an anti-depressant. Apparently in clinical trials it didn’t perform as well as the current crop of anti-depressants, but research continued on the ADD front and it eventually came to market as a non-stimulant ADD/ADHD treatment.

I myself have benefitted from it’s anti-depressant qualities – in fact it helped with my mood far more than Wellbutrin or Effexor which I also tried.

In your specific situation, have you been diagnosed as “ADD” or “ADHD” by a medical doctor? I’ve heard many times that getting the “correct” diagnosis is key. If your doctor isn’t a specialist, you may be able to track down one in your area and have a referral made for a full diagnosis.

In the lecture series I attended last year Dr Jain (from U of T) mentioned that ADDers have a VERY high incidence of comorbidity (co-occurence) with other issues like depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Anxiety issues, and even disorders like Tourette’s syndrome.

He stressed that adults who have ADD/ADHD frequently present a “chicken and the egg” scenario when being diagnosed ie has a lifetime of anxiety or depression issues caused the ADD-like behaviours or is it the other way around? It gets very complex. The goal is to deal with and treat the underlying problem, not just medicate one of it’s effects, hence the importance of a thorough diagnosis.

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[EventHorizon]

I’ve been on Effexor for about three years, after about 20 years of Prozac stopped working. After seeing “ADD & Loving It” on PBS I’m now wondering if I have ADD, since so many things on the program REALLY resonated with me. I’ve yet to get officially diagnosed with anything other than depression and am now wondering HOW do I tell my doctor that I’m now doubting 25+ years of being treated for depression?

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[Lindstr7]

EventH,

I’d highly recommend watching the videos here, they’re a great tool to educate yourself on ADD. So many people are misdiagnosed, including me! I’ve been on Celexa for a few years now and I don’t even think I’m depressed , or am depressed because I can’t function because I have ADD. My doctor told me that the two sometimes overlap. Just tell your doctor what you just said above and if they’re not qualified to diagnose you, ask to see a specialist.

Today is my second day on Ritalin and I’m already feeling more “normal” and functional than I have in years! It was pretty much instantaneous, although I know I may need to adjust meds or change meds (get a slight headache), and take a wholistic approach (diet, exercise, etc.) but this has really opened a door for me and I feel like I’m starting my life anew. I know this won’t “fix” me totally but it is certainly given me the sense that I “can do”.

I urge you to get tested and wish you the best of luck.

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[Anonymous]

ADHD may be a precursor for some of the anxiety and depression out there. Sure you can give an ADDer with concurrent depression an antidepressant. Still can’t get their taxes done but they don’t care now!

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[gypsybelle]

I just keep on posting and posting all over the place here! Have used dexidrene for about 10 years and have been on antidepressant. [effexor xr 150mg] Had to stop dexidrene for investigation into cardiac problems. Now I know what I have and am on beta blockers, but neither my doc or myself can find ANYONE to see me to re evaluate and give me an answer. I have support systems, a coach, a lot of self education, and two sons who are successful ADHD adults. I am doing as much of the supportive stuff as I know how, but now I cant get going..no motivation..the way the dexidrene used to help was that it would kick in, so to speak, and I was doing things before I really had to think about it. now I can waste a whole day because I cant get it together, and I dont think I am on enough antidepressant anymore. We discussed Welbutrin, but she wont rx it in the recommended dosage.

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[Anonymous]

Wellbutrin woked for me originally, but i had problems with tremors. I switched to Effexor, which worked for a while, but started to lose its edge last year on the ADHD, but continues to work for the anxiety that comes with Asperger. A psychiatrist put me on a stimulant las fall; the effect was so much better than the anti-depressents, that I’m happy to stick with it.

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[Anonymous]

I am on Wellbutrin, no change after 2 months at 300 … mini psych exam, BC doesnt seem to run to having any one with experience in ADH so we seem to be winging it … next guess is difficult as i have a history of cardio problems … it is tiresome at 60 to still have to

hunt down adequate medical treatment … local naturopaths claim to treat adhd, but offer no supporting information for their claims.

anyone tried other approaches?

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[Born this way]

I’ve been diagnosed with depression on and off and given Paxil, Pamelor, Xanax and another one I can’t remember. I have low thyroid and every time I ask my Dr. to check it. It’s normal and she asks if I need antidepressants again. This June I was listening to “About Our Kids” on Dr. Radio and there was a discussion about losing your keys, being late, speeding, taking too long on tasks, and walking out of a room and forgetting where or what you were going to do. Yeah….anyway they said that Mothers often discover they have ADD when their kid gets diagnosed. We were suspecting my son had it because he kept getting in trouble at school. Long story short, I saw a Psychologist and called my sons pediatrician. My son just got diagnosed with ADHD. He started concerta. I’m on Zoloft. I finished 30 pills and then my dose was doubled cause I didn’t feel any calmer. I don’t feel like it’s working. I know I’m not depressed. I have anxiety because my coworkers comment how long it takes me to do something. I also, have problems contributing during our meetings. I zone out or can’t concentrate when other people are talking at the same time. I was Then I have trouble collecting my thoughts to express them.

In a meeting and I my boss started to joke about a choice I made. But I ran it buy him a month ago and he agreed and though it was a good idea too. Now we’re in a team meeting and he does not even remember he agreed and acts like I made some stupid rogue decision. He starts saying “Who does that?” Eye roll scratching his head. Everyone was started dropping more jokes I tried to remind him that he gave his blessing but he continued to shake his head like I’m an idiot a more people jumped in with jokes and I almost cried. I think I should be on ADD meds. But I’m stuck in limbo the Psychologist said she knows for sure that I’m ADHD but can’t give me the diagnosis because she doesn’t do testing anymore. She said my insurance does not pay her enough. I can’t find anyone in the network that does testing. I tried to call a Psychiatrist that I’ve had sessions with but she retired! I’m hoping to see my primary care to take me off Zoloft. They didn’t even test my son. His teacher filled out a form and we filled one out.

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