adderall and bipolar disorder

[nitad01]

Is Adderall (adderrall) a safe drug for persons with Bipolar disorder? My daughter has been taken into custody at least 6 times due to poor judgement, aggressive behavior etc.  Yet, her Psychiatrist continues to prescribe Adderall (adderrall). Can someone help us?

[cowgirlnerd]

NO - or in my case it wasn't - it caused my mania to spin out of control and had a suicide attmept during a 3 day no sleep manic episode.  

Talk to her pdoc and ask her the reasoning behind her taking any and all medications and the interactions of each of them.  Don't refuse the treatment until you get all of the facts, but get all of the facts.  

My pdoc described giving (I took Adderall (adderrall) XR 20 mg for years), as giving them cocaine - it has much of the same effecton bp's because we have an aggravated high just from BP.  

[nitad01]

Thanks for your post, I can't talk to her Pdoc, cuz she won't allow it. She keeps saying she needs the adderall (adderrall), and he keeps giving it to her, even tho she has been involuntarily hospitalized 5 times in the last 13 months. What do you do then, she thinks I am the devil incarnate (her words), and I am so scared for her, that I don't know what to do

[azalea82]

You could write a letter to her pdoc.  Just be aware that the pdoc may share this letter with your daughter.  

[thismomneedshelp]

oh honey, get him off that stuff! my son has adhd and bipolar, and they tried to treat both, but adderall (adderrall) is a definite no-no. it increases aggressive behavior and raging. you will have to teach him to deal with paying attention, but you can't treat bipolar using any other technique than drugs and therapy. take him off soon, and let usknow how it goes. good luck to you!

[LetaB]

Now I would definitely agree with these other advisors due only to the sort of out of control behavior your daughter is exhibiting while taking Adderall (adderrall). I have been on Adderall (adderrall) XR 20 for 10 years and it has no more effect on me than a strong cup of coffee (of course, since I am sensitive to coffee this has a stronger effect on me than on others) and makes it possible for me to get out of bed, get out of the house, and get things done. But then I am a severely depressed bipolar 2. I do think you should write (maybe an email?) to her doctor. Privacy issues make it impossible to converse with him about her but there's no reason you can't inform him (I think).

[nitad01]

I never thought about sending a letter or email to pdoc, since she already hates me during her manic episodes, it sure can't hurt to send him a letter. thanks to all

[azalea82]

LetaB is absolutely correct that there's no reason you can't inform the doctor.  Confidentiality rules prevent the doctor from telling you anything about a patient, but you can most definitely communicate your concerns to the doctor.  Just be aware that the doctor cannot acknowledge that your daughter is a patient or tell you anything about her treatment.  It's kind of like a one-way street.  

[MistressNomad]

Is it a good idea to prescribe someone with manic tendancies speed? No, it's not. I'd find a new doctor.