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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chienandalusia on January 7, 2006, at 5:30:33
Hello,
I'm a 23 year old male and I suffer from depression. I seldom have much energy but I spend plenty of time contemplating suicide. I don't have any real friends. If I drink like 5 cups of really, really strong coffee then for the next hour or two I am fairly social. Otherwise I avoid interaction of any kind as much as I can. I have a terrible time keeping up with the daily chores of life. Like, I eat bad because I never have the motivation to cook. And I really hate to admit it but I've never had much of a real job. Right now I work for my mom's business and I would've been fired long ago if I wasn't her son. She doesn't give me a lot of responsibility, but I usually manage to screw up what I can. I never worked in high school and in college I only really worked one semester as a tutor. I had scholarship. I've only ever been successful in straight-forward activities. Anything that requires me to be creative feels impossible to cope with. I was able to get good grades in school because I could take tests well, but I never could really make any friends. Anyway, I'm terrified of all of the million decisions a person has to make every day. I have no confidence and I see only doom and gloom. I've tried Provigil, wellbutrin, zoloft, and sam-e without much success but I really like coffee. Do you think adderall would help me?
Posted by WeeWilly on January 7, 2006, at 14:57:23
In reply to will adderall help me?, posted by chienandalusia on January 7, 2006, at 5:30:33
My disorder seems very much like yours. Parnate is quite effective for me, but only for 3 months. I began my first trial of Nardil in early October, after 3 weeks I was up to 90mg's for a few days. As I rapidly titrated up my ability to sleep about stopped. I was prescribed Zyprexa 2.5mg's and it has helped sleep. About at 4 weeks I was still depressed so I added Adderall 10mg's and the response was great and immediate. I only add the 10mg's of Adderall two or three time per week. I may discontinue Adderall all together. The Nardil 60mg's has been quite helpfull and the Zyprexa 2.5mg's allows me to sleep. I will be trying to reduce my doses to minimize the weight gain and other SE's. Best wishes
Posted by chienandalusia on January 7, 2006, at 17:34:10
In reply to Parnate or Nardil could be helpfull, posted by WeeWilly on January 7, 2006, at 14:57:23
What do you think about my just trying adderall alone, daily? Thing is, for my pdoc to prescribe it I have to be diagnosed ADD. My neuropsych evaluation that would potentially give me this diagnosis isn't for like a month. Should I maybe go to another pdoc off of my insurance? Generic adderall must not be too expensive, so I could probably pay for it out of pocket okay. Thanks for your response.
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2006, at 20:39:48
In reply to Re: Parnate or Nardil could be helpfull, posted by chienandalusia on January 7, 2006, at 17:34:10
Would psych testing allow them to know if you are ADD or ADHD? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Declan on January 8, 2006, at 4:29:33
In reply to will adderall help me?, posted by chienandalusia on January 7, 2006, at 5:30:33
The free formness of life got to me too. When you say 'I've only ever been successful in straightforward activities. Anything that requires me to be creative seems impossible to cope with', that resonates with me. Is this the halfway house between social phobia and executive dysfunction?
Amphetamine for me is only good for the first bit; after that I find it destabilising.
Declan
Posted by vbAgent on January 9, 2006, at 17:21:14
In reply to will adderall help me?, posted by chienandalusia on January 7, 2006, at 5:30:33
Hi there, I take 15mg/day of Adderall for adult ADHD. I was diagnosed in kindergarten and again in college. I'm 28 years old. I'm sure it is also helping to a certain degree with mild depression and anxiety that I have but which are NOT diagnosed. Any depression and anxiety mostly disappear because the stimulant is working to improve the ADHD symptoms.
Taken from "Psychotropic Drugs, 3rd Ed" by Keltner and Folks, pg 415:
"Stimulants have been used to treat depression and are also known to cause depression. Although anecdotal reports of their antidepressive properties are encouraging, an extensive review of the literature does not support treating depression with stimulants. However, a number of other studies support the augmentation role of stimulants in depression."
According to a table of dosing regimens on the same page: Dexedrine usual adult dose for depression is 5-40mg/day. Ritalin usual adult dose for depression is 10-30mg/day.
Coffee causes CNS-stimulation along with a mini-euphoria. Given your positive response to coffee you may benefit from a stimulant, but this is just an opinion. Most people, including those who have no need, would benefit from the addition of a stimulant. Ask your doctor. I might go as far as asking to take a test for ADHD/ADD. He or she will be much more willing to prescribe a Schedule II drug like the psychostimulants if a diagnosis of ADHD/ADD is confirmed.
Your doctor will be careful to monitor your progress if you are suffering from anxiety, tension, agitation, &/or restlessness.
This is the end of the thread.
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