Social Anxiety Support

anxiousagent · 10-30-2009, 09:49 AM

Does anyone think that Adderall XR can help with anxiety? I currently take 10 mgs of Citalopram, 80 mgs of Propranolol ER, and 1 mg of Tenex for my social anxiety, obsessive and negative thoughts. SSRI's & SNRI's at usual therapeutic doses cause me to be very jittery, tremors(hands and neck), and muscle stiffness/aches, so I haven't had any luck with them and am trying to think of another plan of action. My mother, who doesn't suffer from anxiety rather depression and OCD, thinks that I should have my doc prescribe me Adderall XR. She says that the Adderall will slow my obsessive thoughts and make me more focused so that I am not dwelling on my condition so much, in turn decreasing my anxiety. She says that Adderall has changed her life for the better whereas SSRI's, etc.. didn't do much. She has been on it for almost 3 yrs now.

I guess I am very pessimistic about her idea from my previous experiences with the aforementioned and since Adderall is an amphetamine, I feel it will only increase my anxiety. What are your thoughts?

tressbees666 · 10-31-2009, 08:25 AM

It's tough to say, it may help a little. I first tried Adderall XR 30mg (the strongest) from a friend, and I loved it for how productive I was while on it, and to make a long story short, ended up getting a prescription for it. He asked me about family history of impatience and things, and my dad is very impatient, so it was a legit write off anyways.

Now, I don't think I have full blown ADD or anything like that, but even if I don't have it one bit, I know that it helps me in school, and I'm all for taking it for that purpose. I'm pretty sure I've been really depressed the last few years also, and I will admit the euphoria from the drug is great--and I get it every time I take it, and I take it about 2-3x a week.

For me, it's not like I focus on one thing and one thing only, I'll still think about other stuff here and there, but I don't let my thoughts get to me, and I know what needs to be done, and I get it done. I've never taken it while given a speech or anything, so I don't know if it would help with that. Public speaking is really my only anxiety, so I can't answer in terms of everyday situations.

Also, I know for me and many others, Adderall makes you a bit more self-centered--I'll still talk to people, but I get so involved in my thoughts and what I need to do, that I spend very little time doing anything else. So if you're already a quiet person to begin with, more than likely this will make you even quieter--unless perhaps you don't have an ounce of ADD, and taking it will do the opposite for you (like taking meth or cocaine) and make you very talkative, etc.

n1kkuh · 11-01-2009, 02:13 AM

First off bringing a parent is always a good idea, especially when asking for adderall as it appears more legitimate through the doctor's eyes, you don't want them thinking that you want the prescription so you could party with the drug. Secondly, if you find that the medcation does not help you, then I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me the remainder of your medication to me via express mail, I will of course compensate you for your troubles...... jk, im toootaly jk

psst P.M. and we'll talk about it okay?

Vini Vidi Vici · 11-01-2009, 03:24 PM

it helped incredibly with my anxiety, initially. but after 3 weeks i was nearly completely tolerant, and it increased my social anxiety and OCD to extremely high levels. it ended up being totally counter productive. However, when i took it with an SSRI, it worked very well to increase my social skills and decrease anxiety. I think it must be used with an SSRI to work properly, otherwise it will just cause more anxiety. SSRIs make me outgoing, but Adderral made me really self-centered and obsessive and paranoid. The combination of SSRI+Adderral worked extremely well....and i added nicotine gum to help further with the OCD. Nicotine gum helps a ton with OCD...theres studies on it and lots of sweet stuff...one of the best combinations of meds ive ever taken.

Vini Vidi Vici · 11-01-2009, 03:26 PM

but saying that you are already taking 2 medications to lower adrenergic activity....and adderral greatly increases adrenergic activity....you could easily find that it would make the anxiety worse. or maybe all the meds would balance out, which is always a possibilty, and you would end up alot better.

MavenMI6Agent009 · 11-01-2009, 03:28 PM

if its for anxiety, depression, and adhd than i think its a good med. if you have psychosis or any other type of psychotic anxiousness than I would stay away from it. imo

anxiousagent · 11-01-2009, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone. No psychosis here. I'm a 33 yr old business owner, but my mother has struggled with depression, OCD for 30 yrs and she said Adderall has been the best thing that has helped her. When I think back over that time, I would almost say she suffers with ADD as well which might in turn be the reason she has seen such a benefit from it vs SSRI's etc..

I don't know, I might ask my doctor what he thinks about me trying it, but I have never really suffered from depression, other than the negative reactions to my anxiety which in turn starts my negative thinking and obsessions.

Once again, thanks for the input everyone!

10-30-2009, 09:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
anxiousagent Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Adderall XR - Yes, No? Does anyone think that Adderall XR can help with anxiety? I currently take 10 mgs of Citalopram, 80 mgs of Propranolol ER, and 1 mg of Tenex for my social anxiety, obsessive and negative thoughts. SSRI's & SNRI's at usual therapeutic doses cause me to be very jittery, tremors(hands and neck), and muscle stiffness/aches, so I haven't had any luck with them and am trying to think of another plan of action. My mother, who doesn't suffer from anxiety rather depression and OCD, thinks that I should have my doc prescribe me Adderall XR. She says that the Adderall will slow my obsessive thoughts and make me more focused so that I am not dwelling on my condition so much, in turn decreasing my anxiety. She says that Adderall has changed her life for the better whereas SSRI's, etc.. didn't do much. She has been on it for almost 3 yrs now. I guess I am very pessimistic about her idea from my previous experiences with the aforementioned and since Adderall is an amphetamine, I feel it will only increase my anxiety. What are your thoughts?

11-01-2009, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Vini Vidi Vici Status: altruistic philanthropist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Gender: Male Age: 18 Posts: 289	it helped incredibly with my anxiety, initially. but after 3 weeks i was nearly completely tolerant, and it increased my social anxiety and OCD to extremely high levels. it ended up being totally counter productive. However, when i took it with an SSRI, it worked very well to increase my social skills and decrease anxiety. I think it must be used with an SSRI to work properly, otherwise it will just cause more anxiety. SSRIs make me outgoing, but Adderral made me really self-centered and obsessive and paranoid. The combination of SSRI+Adderral worked extremely well....and i added nicotine gum to help further with the OCD. Nicotine gum helps a ton with OCD...theres studies on it and lots of sweet stuff...one of the best combinations of meds ive ever taken. __________________ Please don't take or trust any medical advice from me...Consult a perffessional. meds taken for extended period of time: zyprexa, zoloft, risperdal, klonopin, temazepam, xanax, agomelatine, ambien, adderall, metadate, EMSAM, selegiline, paxil, lexapro, wellbutrin, seroquel, trazodone, clonidine, tramadol, remeron, vyvanse, concerta, Lunesta, Parnate. Current Meds: Parnate 30 mg, Diagnoses- Major Depression, OCD, Social Anxiety, GAD

11-01-2009, 03:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vini Vidi Vici Status: altruistic philanthropist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Gender: Male Age: 18 Posts: 289	but saying that you are already taking 2 medications to lower adrenergic activity....and adderral greatly increases adrenergic activity....you could easily find that it would make the anxiety worse. or maybe all the meds would balance out, which is always a possibilty, and you would end up alot better. __________________ Please don't take or trust any medical advice from me...Consult a perffessional. meds taken for extended period of time: zyprexa, zoloft, risperdal, klonopin, temazepam, xanax, agomelatine, ambien, adderall, metadate, EMSAM, selegiline, paxil, lexapro, wellbutrin, seroquel, trazodone, clonidine, tramadol, remeron, vyvanse, concerta, Lunesta, Parnate. Current Meds: Parnate 30 mg, Diagnoses- Major Depression, OCD, Social Anxiety, GAD

11-01-2009, 03:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
MavenMI6Agent009 Status: Cook Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: EL Crapo, Tx Gender: Male Posts: 13,649	if its for anxiety, depression, and adhd than i think its a good med. if you have psychosis or any other type of psychotic anxiousness than I would stay away from it. imo __________________ "The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." (Henri Nouwen) -------------------------------------------------------

10-31-2009, 08:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
tressbees666 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	It's tough to say, it may help a little. I first tried Adderall XR 30mg (the strongest) from a friend, and I loved it for how productive I was while on it, and to make a long story short, ended up getting a prescription for it. He asked me about family history of impatience and things, and my dad is very impatient, so it was a legit write off anyways. Now, I don't think I have full blown ADD or anything like that, but even if I don't have it one bit, I know that it helps me in school, and I'm all for taking it for that purpose. I'm pretty sure I've been really depressed the last few years also, and I will admit the euphoria from the drug is great--and I get it every time I take it, and I take it about 2-3x a week. For me, it's not like I focus on one thing and one thing only, I'll still think about other stuff here and there, but I don't let my thoughts get to me, and I know what needs to be done, and I get it done. I've never taken it while given a speech or anything, so I don't know if it would help with that. Public speaking is really my only anxiety, so I can't answer in terms of everyday situations. Also, I know for me and many others, Adderall makes you a bit more self-centered--I'll still talk to people, but I get so involved in my thoughts and what I need to do, that I spend very little time doing anything else. So if you're already a quiet person to begin with, more than likely this will make you even quieter--unless perhaps you don't have an ounce of ADD, and taking it will do the opposite for you (like taking meth or cocaine) and make you very talkative, etc.

11-01-2009, 02:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
n1kkuh Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: LA county Gender: Male Posts: 444	First off bringing a parent is always a good idea, especially when asking for adderall as it appears more legitimate through the doctor's eyes, you don't want them thinking that you want the prescription so you could party with the drug. Secondly, if you find that the medcation does not help you, then I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me the remainder of your medication to me via express mail, I will of course compensate you for your troubles...... jk, im toootaly jk psst P.M. and we'll talk about it okay?

11-01-2009, 05:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
anxiousagent Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 8	Thanks for the replies everyone. No psychosis here. I'm a 33 yr old business owner, but my mother has struggled with depression, OCD for 30 yrs and she said Adderall has been the best thing that has helped her. When I think back over that time, I would almost say she suffers with ADD as well which might in turn be the reason she has seen such a benefit from it vs SSRI's etc.. I don't know, I might ask my doctor what he thinks about me trying it, but I have never really suffered from depression, other than the negative reactions to my anxiety which in turn starts my negative thinking and obsessions. Once again, thanks for the input everyone!