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Can adderall cause paranoia?
Well for the last couple of months, I've just noticed that I become really paranoid in public, more specifically, times that I may feel threatened or nervous. An example of the worst it gets: I carry a knife everywhere I go, I made it a habit a while ago for cutting boxes at work and because I'd have to walk home after work, but that was over the summer, and I quit because of school. So there's no need for a knife, but I still feel like I need some form of protection. I've even kept it in my front coat pocket so I could grab it easily if needed-- the weird thing is that I get that feeling even when I'm just around friends who act a little suspicious. Or just walking somewhere, or when I'm out somewhere and a group of people are walking by.... At home, if I'm the only person there and it seems like a car is parked outside waiting, or people are standing on the sidewalk infront of the house, ANY suspicious activity, I usually grab a gun and can't concentrate on whatever I'm doing cause I'm too busy listening for a door to open or something....
I wanted to explain that first, so here's all the facts and stuff:
Switched from Ritalin to Adderall about 4 months ago, started on 20mg XR. I stopped noticing the effects of it, and told my psychiatrist, and she gave me a scrip for 10mg IR to take with the XR. Then about a month ago I mentioned that I've been getting distracted easily at school, so now I'm on 30mg XR/10mg IR everyday. For the record, I'm 6'1"/220 lbs, a pretty big guy... I only say that cause I know body weight has alot to do with med dosages.
Other medications: clonazepam [1mg] (not daily, only as needed for anxiety... usually like 3 or 4 days out of the week) -- Ambien [10mg] for sleep obviously
I exercise almost every day, smoke some pot at night occasionally- sometimes recreationally and sometimes just to get to sleep. I take vitamins, fish oil when I remember, sometimes take pepcid or whatever is around the house for heartburn... No medical problems besides sleep and occasional social anxiety, but the anxiety has gone down alot over the last year. Except for the incidences I'm talking about. And I only see my psychiatrist for medication refills/check-ins, it's only a 20 minute appointment and I never have anything big to talk about, but I only started seeing a psychiatrist b/c of the anxiety last year, which like I said, has gone down alot.
But these paranoia attack-type things are alot different than anxiety, I get alot of adrenaline when I feel like this... and I tend to try to get somewhere where I feel safer, which is making very bad changes in my social life. I feel like telling my psychiatrist next time I have an appt. but I don't want it to be mistaken for depression or anything... I took all types of anti-depressants for anxiety, and none helped, all of them made things worse, until she bumped me up to a benzodiazepine... So I reallllllllly don't want to be put on antidepressants of any type, eh... I'm not really sure how to describe but whatever.
I mean can the adderall cause these types of side-effects? And if not, what could be? I guess I also need to know if this is something to get checked out immediately, I have no clue how serious this is....
Thanks-
I wanted to explain that first, so here's all the facts and stuff:
Switched from Ritalin to Adderall about 4 months ago, started on 20mg XR. I stopped noticing the effects of it, and told my psychiatrist, and she gave me a scrip for 10mg IR to take with the XR. Then about a month ago I mentioned that I've been getting distracted easily at school, so now I'm on 30mg XR/10mg IR everyday. For the record, I'm 6'1"/220 lbs, a pretty big guy... I only say that cause I know body weight has alot to do with med dosages.
Other medications: clonazepam [1mg] (not daily, only as needed for anxiety... usually like 3 or 4 days out of the week) -- Ambien [10mg] for sleep obviously
I exercise almost every day, smoke some pot at night occasionally- sometimes recreationally and sometimes just to get to sleep. I take vitamins, fish oil when I remember, sometimes take pepcid or whatever is around the house for heartburn... No medical problems besides sleep and occasional social anxiety, but the anxiety has gone down alot over the last year. Except for the incidences I'm talking about. And I only see my psychiatrist for medication refills/check-ins, it's only a 20 minute appointment and I never have anything big to talk about, but I only started seeing a psychiatrist b/c of the anxiety last year, which like I said, has gone down alot.
But these paranoia attack-type things are alot different than anxiety, I get alot of adrenaline when I feel like this... and I tend to try to get somewhere where I feel safer, which is making very bad changes in my social life. I feel like telling my psychiatrist next time I have an appt. but I don't want it to be mistaken for depression or anything... I took all types of anti-depressants for anxiety, and none helped, all of them made things worse, until she bumped me up to a benzodiazepine... So I reallllllllly don't want to be put on antidepressants of any type, eh... I'm not really sure how to describe but whatever.
I mean can the adderall cause these types of side-effects? And if not, what could be? I guess I also need to know if this is something to get checked out immediately, I have no clue how serious this is....
Thanks-
I have noticed similar behavior in my spouse after taking adderall for about 6 mo now. Recently, it appears that his paranoia is extreme and I feel as he has had a psychotic break. He stopped the adderall today after being advised from his psychiatrist and was placed on seroquel. I was wondering if any one knew how long typically it takes for the paranoia to cease once the adderall is stopped? Thank you.
After reading this I completely can relate to the paranoia. Thats why when I take adderall and have to do a specific task like study, I do it at my house or some where else where I can be alone. It makes it alot easier to wake up the next morning and recognize that alot of my paranoia and about people doing things to me was a result of being on adderall. And if your not freaking out around ppl it is a matter that you can handle and not have to worry about the opinions of other.
I do suggest that you go and see a clinical psychologist. Thats what I am in grad school for right now, and I've learned that psychiatrists receive very little training in therapy. I know I've never really gotten into detail about my problems with my psychiatrist. Talking to a psychologist that you trust and makes you feel comfortable could really be beneficial. You'll learn the root of your anxiety and sleep deprivation, so you won't just have to rely on more drugs to help with those side effects. There are great things like relaxation techniques and ways to make your bedroom a place that makes you sleepy. I think that therapy would do wonders for you. I've been struggling with the same type of problems for awhile and after learning about all of the help thats available, I now feel like I understand myself and my problems better. As for suicidal thoughts, remind yourself that your are on a medication that causes anxiety and paranoia and that it will wear off. Please go talk to someone and be honest about everything that you've shared with us. I think it will help you start living again.There's hope out there. you are not crazy
I do suggest that you go and see a clinical psychologist. Thats what I am in grad school for right now, and I've learned that psychiatrists receive very little training in therapy. I know I've never really gotten into detail about my problems with my psychiatrist. Talking to a psychologist that you trust and makes you feel comfortable could really be beneficial. You'll learn the root of your anxiety and sleep deprivation, so you won't just have to rely on more drugs to help with those side effects. There are great things like relaxation techniques and ways to make your bedroom a place that makes you sleepy. I think that therapy would do wonders for you. I've been struggling with the same type of problems for awhile and after learning about all of the help thats available, I now feel like I understand myself and my problems better. As for suicidal thoughts, remind yourself that your are on a medication that causes anxiety and paranoia and that it will wear off. Please go talk to someone and be honest about everything that you've shared with us. I think it will help you start living again.There's hope out there. you are not crazy
After reading this I completely can relate to the paranoia. Thats why when I take adderall and have to do a specific task like study, I do it at my house or some where else where I can be alone. It makes it alot easier to wake up the next morning and recognize that alot of my paranoia and about people doing things to me was a result of being on adderall. And if your not freaking out around ppl it is a matter that you can handle and not have to worry about the opinions of other.
I do suggest that you go and see a clinical psychologist. Thats what I am in grad school for right now, and I've learned that psychiatrists receive very little training in therapy. I know I've never really gotten into detail about my problems with my psychiatrist. Talking to a psychologist that you trust and makes you feel comfortable could really be beneficial. You'll learn the root of your anxiety and sleep deprivation, so you won't just have to rely on more drugs to help with those side effects. There are great things like relaxation techniques and ways to make your bedroom a place that makes you sleepy. I think that therapy would do wonders for you. I've been struggling with the same type of problems for awhile and after learning about all of the help thats available, I now feel like I understand myself and my problems better. As for suicidal thoughts, remind yourself that your are on a medication that causes anxiety and paranoia and that it will wear off. Please go talk to someone and be honest about everything that you've shared with us. I think it will help you start living again.There's hope out there. you are not crazy
I do suggest that you go and see a clinical psychologist. Thats what I am in grad school for right now, and I've learned that psychiatrists receive very little training in therapy. I know I've never really gotten into detail about my problems with my psychiatrist. Talking to a psychologist that you trust and makes you feel comfortable could really be beneficial. You'll learn the root of your anxiety and sleep deprivation, so you won't just have to rely on more drugs to help with those side effects. There are great things like relaxation techniques and ways to make your bedroom a place that makes you sleepy. I think that therapy would do wonders for you. I've been struggling with the same type of problems for awhile and after learning about all of the help thats available, I now feel like I understand myself and my problems better. As for suicidal thoughts, remind yourself that your are on a medication that causes anxiety and paranoia and that it will wear off. Please go talk to someone and be honest about everything that you've shared with us. I think it will help you start living again.There's hope out there. you are not crazy
Info on Amphetamine Psychosis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamine_psychosis
Info on Paranoid Schizophrenia:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizophrenia/DS00196/DSECTION=2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphetamine_psychosis
Info on Paranoid Schizophrenia:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/schizophrenia/DS00196/DSECTION=2
I hope your feeling better anyhow. I was doing a little bit more reading on Adderall and found some interesting articles, including one called amphetamine psychosis, which can cause delusions, hallucinations and thought disorder. Typically it appears after large doses or chronic use, although in rare cases some people may become psychotic after relatively small doses, in my case. I really do hope your feeling better and I don't mind the long rant. I just hope you don't do anything stupid like me, I was a good student but it forced me to drop out because of the depression. I know exactly what you mean when you say it feels like people are talking behind your back. It feels like they are conspiring against you, to humiliate you, or make you feel useless, well thats how I feel. I would also recommend keeping a diary (that sounds kind of lame) but I have been told I get a little schitzo when taking Adderall, and you seem very much similiar to me, and then I have no prior knowledge of doing anything. The only thing that I have knowledge is a gap in time, which I noticed on my forum when snorting Adderall, how my entries jumped rapidly from week to week. I use to write daily but when I was taking Adderall I never even wrote anything or remembered what happened, and it made me insane. It was insane and it made me very depressed, driving me to into partial insomnia for a short period. It reminded me very much of Fight Club if you have seen it. Sorry if that sounds kind of psychotic but thats what I experienced and I still question how Adderall has messed me up.
well i greatly appreciate all responses, and i do take all advice to heart.
i have an appointment coming up soon, so ill discuss it then i guess, and as for now, i've easily stopped smoking weed... i mean i have to go through a bit of work to get it, so all i have to do is be lazy and its pretty easy to avoid it lol.
as for the other stuff, i havent taken adderall except for school days, and i always try to take as little clonazepam as possible, which i still do. i only take it on school days and maybe times when im out on weekends and feeling a bit anxious. ambien is a different story though, ive noticed that im taking it very excessively, even on nights that i plan on staying up all night, just for the high. ambien is also something i have very strong feelings towards, i honestly dont think it should even be legal. i think i read somewhere that the FDA is currently doing tests to figure out if they want to withdraw it from the market, which i really hope they do. ive never told any doctor or parents, counselor, etc that ive been abusing it for 2 years, but i get a nagging suspicion that its actually caused all the problems i have.... before i started on it for insomnia (started as short term, but a sleep study showed mild sleep apnea, so i pleaded for a continuous prescription... and ive swung between 10mg and 20mg, and back-forth on the 12.5mg XR version, since the high is much longer. but in my moments of clarity, i tell the doctor to lower it back to 10mg instant release, thankfully... however at my last appointment, the doctor reviewed the different dosages, and said that i seemed more successful on 20mg per night, which is ridiculous. i was probably much higher at the time, and had a more upbeat outlook, but i doubt it was helping.... so far ive been giving some out to friends and selling some of them just so im not tempted to take 2 a night, and i usually just take 1 a night, unless i get high off the first one and want another, which happens sometimes.
its just that before i started on it, i never had anxiety or even knew what it was, didnt have much of a problem with a.d.d. (although my brother is 22 and even he still has it, and also had a learning disability in middleschool-high school), never had anxiety attacks (which have been very frequent as of late), and didnt need loads of pills to get to sleep... i hate having to take **** like this just to sleep, but nights when i go cold-turkey, its so annoying and seems like its been days when i lay there for more than an hour trying to fall asleep.
but, im going to see a sleep-medicine specialist soon, and i think im going to tell him straight up that i've been abusing it, and i want to get off sedatives for good. ambien in my eyes, seems just like booze.... much in the feeling, very similar in the addictiveness, and even seems like im self-medicating my anxieties by just getting high. and i guess i feel justified in doing it since its technically legal. i mean, some nights, ill take it then go straight to bed, and if i dont fall asleep in 20-30 mins, the high kicks in regardless. the strange thing is, when i stay up a whole day and i get to the peak of being tired (5-6pm after not sleeping the night before) i just take an ambien and im no longer tired??? lol it seems so weird to me.
but i digress, i think i'll just talk it over with the specialist, and i think Rozerem (ramelteon) is a MUCH better choice since it's a melatonin-based drug, with probably no possible way to abuse it... and my main sleep problem is delayed sleep phase syndrome, so i dont see why it wouldnt be better.
as for the posts regarding me being dangerous, i know, and im responsible enough to know when ive become dangerous. thats why im seeking help for this, because i dont want anyone including myself to get hurt. luckily my schoolwork and a broken tailbone have kept me inside lately, which i think has helped somehow, i dont know why.
and crash, you pretty much nailed it, i always feel like everyone is talking sh!t, going to talk sh!t, going to start sh!t, going to start a fight, wants to fight, etc. and i dunno why. honestly, nobodys started a fight with me since like 7th grade, or even talked sh!t to my face... i realize im probably a very intimidating person b/c im a big guy, not fat, but more muscular than anything. i look like i can bench 300, really lol. so its just confusing when i get to a "safe" place where i can think about what just happened, and i think "wtf, why would that skinny guy even consider starting **** with a big guy he doesnt even know" and it just makes me feel out of control.
as for the guns, i told my brother to keep his safe locked from now on...
and as for abusing the adderall, no, ive never even snorted it. i hate snorting things cuz i get nosebleeds from it very easily. and ive done coke a few times but i think its crappy compared to popping a (free) adderall that will last all day.
sorry to rant again :( lol i hope its not as long as i think it is.
i have an appointment coming up soon, so ill discuss it then i guess, and as for now, i've easily stopped smoking weed... i mean i have to go through a bit of work to get it, so all i have to do is be lazy and its pretty easy to avoid it lol.
as for the other stuff, i havent taken adderall except for school days, and i always try to take as little clonazepam as possible, which i still do. i only take it on school days and maybe times when im out on weekends and feeling a bit anxious. ambien is a different story though, ive noticed that im taking it very excessively, even on nights that i plan on staying up all night, just for the high. ambien is also something i have very strong feelings towards, i honestly dont think it should even be legal. i think i read somewhere that the FDA is currently doing tests to figure out if they want to withdraw it from the market, which i really hope they do. ive never told any doctor or parents, counselor, etc that ive been abusing it for 2 years, but i get a nagging suspicion that its actually caused all the problems i have.... before i started on it for insomnia (started as short term, but a sleep study showed mild sleep apnea, so i pleaded for a continuous prescription... and ive swung between 10mg and 20mg, and back-forth on the 12.5mg XR version, since the high is much longer. but in my moments of clarity, i tell the doctor to lower it back to 10mg instant release, thankfully... however at my last appointment, the doctor reviewed the different dosages, and said that i seemed more successful on 20mg per night, which is ridiculous. i was probably much higher at the time, and had a more upbeat outlook, but i doubt it was helping.... so far ive been giving some out to friends and selling some of them just so im not tempted to take 2 a night, and i usually just take 1 a night, unless i get high off the first one and want another, which happens sometimes.
its just that before i started on it, i never had anxiety or even knew what it was, didnt have much of a problem with a.d.d. (although my brother is 22 and even he still has it, and also had a learning disability in middleschool-high school), never had anxiety attacks (which have been very frequent as of late), and didnt need loads of pills to get to sleep... i hate having to take **** like this just to sleep, but nights when i go cold-turkey, its so annoying and seems like its been days when i lay there for more than an hour trying to fall asleep.
but, im going to see a sleep-medicine specialist soon, and i think im going to tell him straight up that i've been abusing it, and i want to get off sedatives for good. ambien in my eyes, seems just like booze.... much in the feeling, very similar in the addictiveness, and even seems like im self-medicating my anxieties by just getting high. and i guess i feel justified in doing it since its technically legal. i mean, some nights, ill take it then go straight to bed, and if i dont fall asleep in 20-30 mins, the high kicks in regardless. the strange thing is, when i stay up a whole day and i get to the peak of being tired (5-6pm after not sleeping the night before) i just take an ambien and im no longer tired??? lol it seems so weird to me.
but i digress, i think i'll just talk it over with the specialist, and i think Rozerem (ramelteon) is a MUCH better choice since it's a melatonin-based drug, with probably no possible way to abuse it... and my main sleep problem is delayed sleep phase syndrome, so i dont see why it wouldnt be better.
as for the posts regarding me being dangerous, i know, and im responsible enough to know when ive become dangerous. thats why im seeking help for this, because i dont want anyone including myself to get hurt. luckily my schoolwork and a broken tailbone have kept me inside lately, which i think has helped somehow, i dont know why.
and crash, you pretty much nailed it, i always feel like everyone is talking sh!t, going to talk sh!t, going to start sh!t, going to start a fight, wants to fight, etc. and i dunno why. honestly, nobodys started a fight with me since like 7th grade, or even talked sh!t to my face... i realize im probably a very intimidating person b/c im a big guy, not fat, but more muscular than anything. i look like i can bench 300, really lol. so its just confusing when i get to a "safe" place where i can think about what just happened, and i think "wtf, why would that skinny guy even consider starting **** with a big guy he doesnt even know" and it just makes me feel out of control.
as for the guns, i told my brother to keep his safe locked from now on...
and as for abusing the adderall, no, ive never even snorted it. i hate snorting things cuz i get nosebleeds from it very easily. and ive done coke a few times but i think its crappy compared to popping a (free) adderall that will last all day.
sorry to rant again :( lol i hope its not as long as i think it is.
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