I've been searching the forum, but I guess this is kind of a unique case, or is it common?

I was "examined" by psychologists when I was very young, at an age around 8, for ADHD since I had problems with concentration and hyperactivity. I did not get any diagnosis at that stage, but at age 14 I recieved the diagnose Asperger syndrome with prominent signs of procrastination.

A little later I sank into a state of psychosis, and I have been since then treated with Risperdal. The symptoms of psychosis are long gone and I am soon to be 19 years old. I also believe I'm taking Risperdal to help my Asperger-symptoms, but I'm not really sure.

I heard of ADD just a few weeks ago and I believe there is a possibility I have it, since I have severe problems concentrating on tasks, when reading or watching a movie or even when I'm having a conversation.

Now to the question: is there an increased chance of returning into a state of psychosis if I take ADD/ADHD-medication? Since my history of psychosis, will I be more vulnerable?

Do you think it is reasonable for me to take medication?

Do you have any idea what triggered the psychosis in your earlier years?

Many people with psychotic disorders seem to have executive function problems too. (e.g. looks like, or functions as, ADD/ADHD. Can't plan their way out of a wet paper bag. :S) However, no two people are ever really the same, neurologically- speaking.


I'm not sure if negative symptoms are more of a planning deficit or motivational deficit or insight/self-monitoring deficit, but negative symptoms seem to be a HUGE issue with some people who have some types of psychosis. (Some have a total lack of self-care, or humongous skill deficits. In some folks, there seems to be an auditory working memory deficits, too. ["Huh?!". They can't remember what people just said.])

As I understand it, Traditionally, doctors have been reluctant to prescribe dopamine stimulating drugs to people with psychosis, and even some SSRIs (stimulate DA and NE indirectly?), as dopamine is believed to be one of the chemicals that is too high in people with psychosis.

That said: there are many subtypes of dopamine, however. I think that if your symptoms are bad enough (can't get your "ADLs" done; activities of daily living, etc) -- then you might deserve a controlled trial of an ADD drug. Sometimes anti-depressants like Wellbutrin, or Effexor are prescribed 'off label' for ADHD, FYI.

Talk to your Doctor. They are more of an expert.

NB ADHD & AS: I have no idea how often they co-occur. Some features seem similar. ADHDers don't have an adequate attentional filter. ASers, as i understand, don't have a sensory/perceptual filter.

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Psychosis is made worse by stress. Obviously the Stress of these ADHD symptoms that you have escalates your tension level. Mention that to your doctor. This is important to communicate to your doctor.

Not being able to cope with the day to day demands of life, due to ADHD-type symptoms (e.g. planning, follow thru, working toward goals, staying on task) is about "quality of life".

Maybe s/he will give you a short trial of ADHD meds if you sign a waiver saying you know it might make you sick -- but that you are wanting to take the chance, in case there is benefit.


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You may want to go get some Tests with an Educational Psychologist to prove you have problems in Memory and Listening and Planning/organizing and Impulsivity/Inattention (CPT tests).

Having a Psychoeducational or Psychovocational "test report", if it shows you have attentional problems, will help your case, for getting a trial of meds.

Were you on any medication prior to your psychosis?

I recieved a diagnosis of Asperger's at 20, and of ADD inattentive type a couple of weeks ago. Before that, I'd been largely ignored by everyone, and dismissed as 'thick' and such by teachers at school.

I developed psychosis when I was given Prozac about 3 years ago. The symptoms gradually worsened over the month I was on it, but fortunately I was aware of what was happening and of the reasons for it, so it wasn't a problem, and I just came off the Prozac once I'd finished the pack I'd been given and tried 3 other anti-depressants before giving up. Zoloft, the second one I tried, continued the descent into psychosis, but then I switched to lofepramine and venlafaxine, which made me sleep for 12-18 hours a day, and after that I gave up on AD's until quite recently, when I tried paroxetine for anxiety, which made me tired also, and settled on mirtazapine, which I tolerate well.

For me, I think the problem was that the Prozac and Zoloft put my seratonin way out of line with my dopamine and norepinephrine, which are likely to be low to start with due to the ADHD (and my seratonin may have been normal initially), whereas the mirtazapine, although increasing seratonin, also increases norepinephrine, and to a small extent, dopamine.

ADHD meds work by increasing dopamine and/or norepinephrine in various ways and in various regions of the brain (thus why they can have different effects while acting on the same neurotransmitters), and although an excess of dopamine can also cause psychosis, it's unlikely to occur if you have ADHD and are being treated by a psychiatrist, since you're likely to have a dopamine deficit, and will be treated with theraputic doses of stimulants.

I have an asperger's like issue no understanding of how to develop empathy and psychosis (Bipolar I Severe Manic With Psychotic Features) and well if my ADHD isn't medicated the house of cards tends to fall faster and harder, Dexedrine is the anchor in that situation.

Can you describe the "psychosis" for which you were treated? Schizophrenic symptoms?

"Do you have any idea what triggered the psychosis in your earlier years?"

I have no idea. The only things I can think that happened before is a relative's death and some minor bullying. I had anxiety because of my (poor) productivity at school too, but it was not that intense really.



QueensU: I have trouble comprehending your text fully (because of lack of concentration). I haven't had any psychotic traits for about 4 years. I have Zoloft for social anxiety, but it does not affect my concentration.


trying: Well, I had some pretty intense delusions, and some of them were aggressive in nature. I was not able to hurt anybody because I could reason my self out of it, but the idea was there. Schizophrenic symptoms? I don't know really, I'm not aware of any specific psychotic symptoms that occur with schizophrenia. I believed I was psychic and that somebody was controlling me.


Sorry for the delay in my reply.


EDIT: Changed the word "clairvoyant" to "psychic".