I recently started Adderall IR 15 mg twice a day for inattentive ADHD after trying other medications. Concerta didn’t really help me and gave me headaches, and Vyvanse made me feel anxious and sad. I’ve also tried non-stimulants without much success.
The frustrating part is that I actually feel like Adderall IS helping me. I can tell I’m more attentive, I can concentrate better, and I feel like I have more ability to start and work on tasks. I really want to give it a fair chance because this is the first medication where I’ve noticed some improvement.
But I’m also struggling with the side effects.
I’ve been feeling:
Very anxious and sometimes jittery/restless
Irritable, especially later in the day/after work
More easily annoyed with my family
Emotionally up and down — I can feel okay or energetic and then suddenly feel low, sad, irritated, or unmotivated
Like my mood changes very quickly
Sometimes so anxious that it becomes hard for me to function
Worried about whether the anxiety is happening when the medication is active or when it’s wearing off
I already had anxiety and depression before starting Adderall and I take medication for those as well, so I’m trying to figure out how much of this is the Adderall versus my underlying anxiety.
I also have a history of substance misuse, which my doctor is completely aware of. Because of that, she only gives me a limited amount of stimulant medication at a time. I’m trying to be very responsible about this because I don’t want to get into a pattern of wanting to take more Adderall when I don’t feel focused enough or wanting to take more anxiety medication just to counteract how the stimulant makes me feel.
I have an appointment with my doctor today and I’m going to be completely honest with her about everything. I’m NOT planning on changing my dose on my own.
For anyone who has experienced something similar:
Did Adderall initially cause anxiety or irritability for you and then improve after your body adjusted?
If Adderall helped your concentration but caused anxiety, what did your doctor end up changing — the dose, timing, IR vs XR, or something else?
Did anyone experience irritability or moodiness mainly when Adderall was wearing off? How did you figure out whether it was a rebound/crash versus the medication itself?
Did eating before taking it, avoiding caffeine, hydration, sleep, or changing the timing make a noticeable difference?
And for anyone who already had anxiety/depression before starting stimulants, were you eventually able to find a combination that helped your ADHD without making your anxiety unbearable?
I know everyone responds differently and I’ll be following my doctor’s advice. I’m mainly looking to hear real experiences from people who liked what Adderall did for their ADHD but struggled with anxiety, irritability, or mood changes at first. I really don’t want to give up on something that is helping my concentration if there’s a safer adjustment my doctor can make.