I am 33yrs old, recently diagnosed ADHD. Have tried focalin, concerta, and adderall. They are not helping my mood like I hoped they would. Actually makes my affect more flat (seemingly)? You guys think this constitutes the necessity for an antidepressant? Just thinking (as usual).

I've never heard of methelphenedate can help with mood. It could; I just don't know. If it's depression that you are experinceing, it may make more sence to use and anti-depressant as appose to a stimulate.

My recommendation:
1. try an anti-depressant
2. if it doesn't work, you may need a
combonation of more than 1 anti-depressnat.
3. Another 'cure' for depression is also ''mood stabilizers''

:) You can combine your ADD medication with an antidepressant. I don't know if it can be combined with mood stabilizers. :(

I am 33yrs old, recently diagnosed ADHD. Have tried focalin, concerta, and adderall. They are not helping my mood like I hoped they would. Actually makes my affect more flat (seemingly)? You guys think this constitutes the necessity for an antidepressant? Just thinking (as usual).
I don't think it's supposed to.

Are you suffering from Depression? The only way methylphenidate would help is if the depression is linked to ADHD symptoms. (You're depressed because ADHD is negatively affecting your life). If the depression is from anything else, then it probably won't help.

I'm not sure if it was the chicken, the egg, or the rooster. Just kidding. What I mean is I'm not sure whether it is coexisting or secondary. I was hoping that the ritalin would affect the add that would affect the depression/anxiety. However, I am still feeling pretty bland in my emotions and outlook after being on the medicine for a couple of weeks. I feel slow and that I have a pretty flat affect. May be just a matter of getting used to feeling "normal". I had highs and lows before (dependent upon level of stimulation) but now seem to feel a steady blah. I guess I shouldn't expect a huge life changing response after dealing with this for 33 years. Probably should just give it more time.

Hi McGuffey,

I can tell you that I take an SSRI antidepressant with my ADHD medication. Currently the combo is Adderall and Celexa. However, I have also used Concerta and Celexa, Concerta and Zoloft, Concerta and Prozac. To explain all the switcheroos is a long story, but I just wanted to share that I've had good success with my ADHD and depression when I've treated them BOTH using a separate medication for each "condition."

Ya - feeling flat, blunted affect . . . that's not fun! Do you like your ADD med prescriber? Do you think he/she would let you try an SSRI (the newer antidepressants that are supposed to have fewer side effects and be very effective)? Now everyone is different, but from MY personal experience and the experiences of several people I know - we all liked Zoloft. It was helpful, and I never felt sleepy on it like I did on Prozac (which is supposed to be energizing??). Anyway, I personally don't find the SSRI's to be anything like the ADHD meds - they don't make me feel "medicated" or anything that noticeable . . . just when I go for my follow-up I look back and say, "ya - actually I haven't been so teary, and I *did* actually have fun with my friends the other evening when we got together to discuss the kids' fundraiser." It's more subtle, but can definitely help take away that "flat, blunt" affect that sometimes happens when people who also have some depression start their ADHD meds. I've heard that it's common to have both ADHD AND depression that is separate from the ADHD. The depression doesn't necessarily stem ONLY from the ADHD, and just because you're depressed doesn't mean you DON'T have ADHD. That's the belief around these parts anyway :-)

Please keep us posted! (or if you want to pm me, that'd be fine too).

SS

Thanks for the encouragement. The more and more I read, I feel like that may be the answer. I have been on an SSRI in the past and still felt like something was missing (prescribed by a primary care doc). However, as of a few weeks ago, the missing piece of the puzzle was found (ADD). My ADD doc seems to be open to suggestions. I was hoping that treating the ADD would resolve the depression issue because I wasn't sure which was which. In the back of my mind I feel like i've been ripped off over the last thirty years and have developed this voracious impatience to feel like "normal" people do. The rational part of me understands that the medication trial and error can be a lengthy process, but my soul wants it too be much quicker than the time it takes between office visits. After all of my reading, I feel that serotonin is the missing ingredient in the recipe. I do feel better with the ritalin (less restlessness, more focus, etc..) I guess we'll see! Thanks again.

three medications I used when I was taking zoloft to manage the inattention was ritalin LA, Concerta, and Straterra.

The rational part of me understands that the medication trial and error can be a lengthy process, but my soul wants it too be much quicker than the time it takes between office visits.
maybe you just said it, is it something your soul wants?