Worried about long term effects of Adderall

[LisaMary]

I have been reading about the effects of Adderall.  I have noticed in my son and step-son both that they have dispayed some signs of Autism.  I was wondering if it was a possibility that it could be another long term adverse effect of the Adderall?   They have become very nervous and fidgety, neither were before taking this medication. My step-son has the most severe sypmtoms.

[nataliepk]

Oops forgot to put the website http://www.*************************.com/adhd-educational-software.html

[nataliepk]

Please don't give your children that poison. It is legal speed, with a high similar to methamphetamine. I was perscribed it from age 8-15, when I finally realized what it was doing to me, I stopped taking it immediately. An eight year old does not have the ability to gauge a drug's effect on their personalities, emotions, and overall mental health. They just do not possess that kind of insight at that age. It took me until I was 15 to realize that I was paranoid, anorexic, anxious, depressed, irritable, emotionally unstable, threw up at any sort of physical exercise, had a bad taste in my mouth, dry hands and lips, and constantly on edge because of this drug. When I stopped taking it, my personality completely changed. I got to be who I really was, sober, without mind-altering chemicals in my brain. I felt cheated that I had never been allowed to discover this before. Also, since I have ADD and a history of addiction and alcoholism in my family, I am predisposed to have similar issues myself. Taking this powerful intoxicant got my brain used to being stimulated as such, and a few poor life choices and I became a full-blown drug addict. It took me so much time and effort to get my life back together, and I feel like those amphetamines kind of triggered the addictive part of my brain whereas if I had been allowed to learn to discipline myself without drugs that part of my brain would have remained untouched. I wonder how different my life would have been, if I would have been normal like my sister. If your children have any sort of predisposition to the disease of addiction, it is so risky to give them these kinds of meds. Please exercise the utmost caution. I have seen some horrible things in my life and hate to think of children going through the same things.

There are other alternatives to treating ADHD--please look at this website, it talks about these computer programs that are controlled by brain waves, and they basically create new neurological pathways in the brain to help concentration, focus and mental discipline, and it has been shown to be very helpful with depression and ADHD.

Also, look at what it's supposed to do, this adderall and all other stimulant ADHD medications: increase motivation, focus, and concentration. These are not just things that some kids are born with and some are not. They are cultivated life skills. There is no quick fix to give your child these things, they can't just put them in a pill and suddenly your child will be normal. They aren't sick, their brains just work in a different way and they need more guidance and help organizing and disciplining themselves. I'm not saying ADHD doesn't exist, I'm just saying that a pill won't fix your children's behavioral problems.

[Cosine]

Like many have posted on here, if Adderall makes you hyper or excited than you most likely do not have ADD.  An ADD mind has been proven to be structurally different than a normal brain and the use of stimulants in the RIGHT DOSE actually calms the mind and relaxes you.  

Before taking Adderall I was mis-diagnosed as having anxiety issues and prescribed Librium, a very powerful relaxer.  I get a much less powerful, yet similar sensation with taking Adderall.  My doctor has patients who need Adderall just to fall asleep to help them relax or else their minds race all night.

Adderall is HIGHLY over prescribed. I was fortunate enough to find a local clinic that specializes in ADD, and they report that 60% of patients that visit them with a diagnosis of ADD from other clinics are WRONG! Unfortunately for those 60% they are taking an extremely addictive drug that has totally the wrong affects on the brain.  

PLEASE SEE AN ADHD SPECIALIST!

[CBL1984]

My parents put me on Ritalin when I was 6, and it ruined my life. I am now 26 and I cannot work because of the disabling treatment-resistant depression and fatigue that I have as a result of being on the drug for years. ADD drugs are not a solution, they are a quick fix. They do work which is why people use them, but when they stop working your child will be left with not only ADD but depression, too. That is what happened to me, and I am not alone. I am finding more and more people to whom this has happened. This is because Ritalin and other stimulant ADD drugs (Concerta, Adderall, Vyvanse, Dexadrine, etc) work on the dopamine system which is not only responsible for attention but pleasure, too. The drug has the same mechanism of action as cocaine and the result of long-term use is the same. The drug works for a while and then the person develops a tolerance to the drug and more is needed to achieve the same result. Then the person cannot even feel pleasure without the drug. And finally even the drug doesn't do much to alleviate the person's depression because the dopamine system has been too disrupted. And that is where I am now. I cannot feel pleasure. I resent the fact that I am even still alive, but I have chosen to keep living so that I can warn parents about these medications. I would rather be a school drop-out than live the way that I live now. At least as a school drop-out I would be able to enjoy being alive. Maybe I wouldn't have a great job, but I would at least be able to work and feel pleasure in life. Many ADD kids can become successful adults without medication. They just have to find their niche. I know many people who did not take meds who are thriving in the life paths that they have chosen. Please visit my website www.ritalinawareness.com  and read my story and the research that I have presented on how long-term prescription stimulant use can lead to depression. You can also read about alternatives to medication on my site. There are so many supplements and other brain-training activities that can work for ADD.

[genx86]

great response to the ranting. i completely agree.

[Sandman2]

    I think an important question is did the, "Hopelessness, heightened irritation, worry, and insomnia," exist before you started the meds.    The reason I wonder is that I have seen very few posts on here during the last 4 years where that was a problem.  Typically, as the meds leave your system,  you revert back to the unmedicated state - If you have AD/HD.  If you don't have AD/HD then its a whole different story as you are going through a withdrawal stage.   In any event, I do think that this is important enough to discuss with your doctor.
   Now if you had these sensations or something like these sensations before (maybe the reason why you were prescribed the Zoloft), then this would make sense.  The med you are taking will help concentration - worry and anxiety is something else.  And it is very possible that the worry and anxiety is a byproduct of ADD (which studies show), and just taking the med will not eliminate those problems.  And while the Zoloft will help, what you really need is to understand what ADD is and what it can do to you.
    There are two very good sites that deal with adult ADD.  I think you really need to do a bit more research on the whole issue.  The first site was actually a recent PBS special.  Its all done in short video clips (which drives me crazy).  Its -   **********.com
  The second site is by someone with ADD and it reflects his condition to some extent.  It has a ton of information.  Don't try and take it all in in one sitting.  But I think that you will find it very helpful.  Is - http://jeffsaddmind.com/for-first-time-visitors
    I hope this helps.  Please post if you have other questions or need more resources.  Best wishes!