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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
ADD, depresssion, and maybe borderline
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
ADD, depresssion, and maybe borderline
by Diane__0__0, May 21, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Diane on May 21, 1999 at 09:27:36
Ever since about 7th grade I have been very depressed. It was mostly due to my dad's verbal abuse and our family's history of depression. My first psychiatrist thought I was manic-depressive, but being on lithium made me feel horrible and I knew it wasn't right. Recently, I found out it was ADD all along, but I think I also have depression and mild borderline. I haven't responded too well to Prozac(it made me jittery), zoloft(made me sleepy and more depressed), ritalin(jittery), and dexedrine(increased anxiety, impulsivity). The stimulants did help with the focusing, but I don't think I tolerate them well. My question is, what should I try now? Since I didn't respond well to the 2 SSRI's, should I not try Paxil and go for a tricyclic or MAOI instead. Or maybe a newer drug like Wellbutrin. The reason I am asking is b/c my dr. knows nothing about ADD but I can't afford to switch doctors b/c the initial consultation fee is so expensive. Thank you.
Posted by HFHS.MD-AJ on May 27, 1999 at 12:11:34
Diane,
From the information provided, it is unclear if your different diagnoses were made by a psychiatrist. Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder are often co-morbid with ADD. Consultation with a psychiatrist for formal evaluation and clarification of your diagnosis is very important, as appropriate treatment will always be determined by the diagnostic picture. If you are already under the care of a psychiatrist, you may consider seeking a second opinion from another psychiatrist who is familiar with ADD.
As far as using various medications, sometimes it is almost a "trial and error" situation; what works for some people may not work for others. Some people may also need more than one medication. All the antidepressants are equally effective for the treatment of depression, although they may have different side effects. Some people will have side effects with one medication, but not with others, so there will always be other treatment options available to you.
In comparison with Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA's) or Mono-amine Oxidase Inhibitor antidepressants (MAOI's), newer antidepressants (such as the SSRI's, Effexor, and Wellbutrin) are generally safer, better tolerated, and less likely to interact with other co-prescribed drugs.
There is some literature to suggest that Wellbutrin may be helpful in treating ADD, whereas the SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil) are not.
Psychostimulants such as Ritalin, Dexedrin, and Adderall (adderrall) are helpful for treating ADD, but not for depression.
This response is for general information only. Always contact your physician for any health concerns.
Keywords: ADD, Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder
