Discussing Adderall XR for treatment of depression?
Question by Tyler: Discussing Adderall XR for treatment of depression?
I would like to talk to my doctor about Adderall XR (30mg) for my depression. I have depression, not major, like I am going to jump off a cliff right now. I have dysthymia, which is a long lasting, chronicly low mood, but not majorly low. It is not debilitating, it is just a looming moderate unhappiness, that fails to cease.
In July, I was at work and I mentioned that I wanted to take an Adderall to get all my summer assignments done for school. She mentioned that her GP had given her a script for Adderall XR (30mg). She said she didn’t want it, so she gave it to me, and I took one to help me do all my summer assignments. I did all of them, no shocker there.
So, when classes started, I figured I would take one in the mornings to keep up with all my work, it’s been working just fine, I don’t feel like speedy, wired, or euphoric like, “Oh my god! This feels amazing!”. I just feel better, like, it is all just okay for some reason. I am not having this looming sadness, I always felt. I finally feel like I am beginning to feel normal, and that I am finally recovering from the dysthymia.
I feel like I should tell my GP this next time I go, I tried psychotherapy for a long time, and it never really worked, and I didn’t want to go on mainline antidepressants (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.) I am afraid that she will dismiss my claims as an attempt to get high of amphetamines (Adderall), or that I’m some college student in a pinch trying to cram for exams.
Should I discuss this with her, or not?
Best answer:
Answer by f16cadet
Any progress made should be discussed with your doctor to let them know that the treatment is working. She wouldn’t take you off them if you have a legit reason. Just tell them the truth and you should be fine. However, if you are using them to get high, she will take you off them.
Answer by Blackcompe
I’ve been studying amphetamines (Adderall) all day, their pharmacological properties what not. There’s no doubt that they increase the chemicals in your brain that can allow you to feel better: euphoria, improved concentration, improved anxiety, etc. But, amphetamines are only active in a small portion of the brain, thus making them inferior to anti-depressants for depression. Anti-depressants have a widespread effect throughout the brain. This is why Strattera is approved for ADHD. It has the same internal mechanism at anti-depressants, it’s not an amphetamine. Furthermore, you can see that anti-depressants therapy is significantly better via PET scans. You can basically google “PET scan depression amphetamine” to see.
Biological depression is when there is problems with nerve transmission exist. If you’ve truly got biological depression, anti-depressants would be all you need. I think you’ve got the wrong idea about depression. Even though, amphetamines would make you feel better, that doesn’t mean your depressed. Perhaps, you should try figuring out what you depression symptoms are exactly, and there causes with a psychologist/psychiatrist.
Furthermore, if you feel better on amphetamines, maybe you’ve suffered from ADHD your whole life causing co-morbid dysthymic depression.
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