I posted this in the Concerta forum but I want to see what I would get for info in this area.
How does your ADHD meds effect your OCD?
I'm on an increased dose of Ritalin (concerta 18g from 5gram of Ritalin)
My OCD has gotten alot worse. I actually growled at an engineer for interrupting me while I was working! I can't seem to get off the internet and I'm starting to anxiety about not finishing things... Help?
KMiller
10-07-05, 01:21 PM
Concerta is a stimulant, and stimulants caused increased arousal, which in many cases can provoke anxiety. This is a relatively common effect of the medicine. In some cases, doctors will treat for this by using an SSRI, or other things. Talk to your doctor about it, as it can be problematic.
I knew I could count on you Keith. I wonder if there are any articles to show my doctor.
This is an article relating to an elderly man, but it does talk specifically about Methylphenidate and OCD.
http://www.cnsspectrums.com/pdf/art_377.pdf
songsofabeach
04-16-06, 06:40 PM
Your problem may be due to your dose. Sometimes, taking a lesser than your body requires increases anxiety and aggression. That is what i experienced. when I take 36, I am terribly anxious and aggressive however 72 makes me calm and relaxed.
songsofabeach
04-16-06, 06:42 PM
However I have a terrible problem about not having a peaceful time, unless I am producing something or putting my mind to work. If I am passively involved, like watching tv, I develope compulsive behaviours like scratching my skin, which is really terrible..
stimulants in general are known to sometimes (often?) exacerbate anxiety disorders.
sometimes a doctor will augment a stimulant with an atypical antipsychotic or an antidepressant, or even a mood stabilizer to counter the anxiety enhancing tendency of many stimulants.
ME :D
jonquiljo
04-16-06, 07:26 PM
Both my wife and I have OCD along with ADD. We both find that stimulants - Adderall or Ritalin - help OCD tremendously. But we have been working to fight OCD for years. I think these meds give the clarity of thought to fight OCD much more productively.
We've both taken SSRI's for years and find they are minimally useful.