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1390055 tn?1365615055

Getting off of ADHD medications

I used to take ADHD medication to manage my condition beginning when I was about 13 years old. I am now 23.

I continued this for about 5 or 6 years, and then gradually came down off of my medications. I had been put on a number of different medications at different times to see which medication worked best for me, and we finally settled on taking Concerta, and did this so for about 3 or 4 years.

In the time I was off of my medications, I developed Major Depression, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, problems with managing stress which lead to PTSD, developed non-bacterial chronic prostatitis from the stress, formed more Obsessive Compulsive behaviors, and a horrible case of Hypochondria.

These emotional problems and mental disorders I have been diagnosed with were never a problem when I was younger, for I never experienced them (aside from Hypochondria, for I used to panic about the way my heart would beat a lot when I was about 8 years old, even though my heartbeat was normal).

These emotional problems and mental disorders listed above developed real slowly after I graduated from high school and stopped taking my ADHD meds "safely", and I thought it was just part of the anxiety with growing up, but I have come to find out from a therapist that this is definitely not the case.

I have recently been put back on Concerta so I can go back to college and concentrate better. I've noticed in the past few days I have been able to manage my emotional stress better, and I have been less anti-social issues.

Could the fact that I was no longer managing my ADHD with medication have a factor in me developing these disorders?
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
the blocked site is **********.com  its worth looking at.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   By the way, check out the posts by Capita 2010 and Stubborn fight.  Do post back and let us know how it is going.  The three of you are in kind of similar situations!
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
  All of the research I have done and personal posts I have seen on this forum would indicate that it was certainly a contributing factor.  
  Unfortunately, many parents would see the pill as the solution.  However, all studies I have seen, show that some type of behavior modification training is also needed.  Its not your parents fault.  And it would be very typical if they only used a family doctor, not a psychiatrist.  
  I don't know if it will help, but there is an adult web site devoted to ADD where a lot of good information is shared.  You might want to check it out.  Its called  
      http://jeffsaddmind.com/for-first-time-visitors

   You also might want to check out this site which was a recent pbs special on adult ADD.
          http://**********.com/#/welcome/
    Best wishes!
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