I'll try to make this short and to the point, but my adderall is wearing down for the day!
My question: for anyone that takes adderall for depression -- how do you deal with the mornings? Right now I'm OK, kind of tired, adderall wearing off. Tomorrow morning I know I'll be confused, very depressed with alot of add symptoms.

Do you keep your adderall next to your bed with a big glass of water, so you take it as soon as possible? I'm pretty sluggish in the mornings and might feel so depressed that I will postpone taking the adderall, which is rather silly.

I'm scared of this jeckyl/hyde thing.

For those that say "adderall isn't for depression" -- Two things: my doc thinks I may have ADD, I fit most of the symptoms (the "non attentive" type, is that what it is called?) plus, adderall is sometimes used when a patient is no longer responding to a/ds. Med resistant. I don't seem to respond very well anymore to a/ds, somewhat, but not really enough to function and think properly.

Thanks.

Maybe I'm reading something wrong, but you know depression is a side effect of Adderall right?

Thanks for your concern and reply!

I guess you haven't heard of this particular off label use. It's not all that uncommon for med resistant depressions.
Other off label uses include: Chronic fatigue syndrome

Packet information never includes the "off label" uses but.. you can google it, you'll see.

I worked with my pdoc for years getting a med combo that works before he even tried adderall. So it's not a done deal. Additionally he thinks I may have ADD as well (non attentive).

Yes, depression is a possible , uncommon side effect (see excerpt below). I know there is a time of day where you can "crash". But that is different than the debilitating depression.
btw Have you read the side effects from most anti depressants?

Adderall is sometimes cautiously used by some doctors (off label) to augment antidepressants or to help the patient cope until the antidepressant kicks in then the adderall is reduced.
See here: http://www.doctorslounge.com/psychiatry/forums/backup/topic-22065.html

From webmd (http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-63163-Adderall+Oral.aspx?drugid=63163&drugname=Adderall+Oral)(see red)

Side Effects
Loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, stomach upset/pain, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, fever, nervousness, and trouble sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood/behavior changes (e.g., agitation, aggression, mood swings, depression, abnormal thoughts), uncontrolled movements, continuous chewing movements/teeth grinding, outbursts of words/sounds, change in sexual ability/desire.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, severe headache, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, jaw/left arm pain, seizures, swelling of the ankles/feet, extreme tiredness, blurred vision, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. In the US, you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada, you may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
____________________

Also, here (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Mental-Health/Adderall-For-Depression/show/266235) a doctor answers someone's post about this:
"The stimulants such as Adderall (adderrall) and Ritalin are sometimes used inintially to augment the effect of antidepressants and improve energy and cognition. Both medications are short acting and only work while they are in your system. Stimulants are generally not indicated for long term treatment of depression. From the information that you have provided it would also be helpful for you to be in psychotherapy. Good luck."

I dunno, most people I know offline have become depressed after a length of time on any ADD stimulant. So (this is of course anecdotal) it doesn't seem to be that rare of a side effect. If it works for you, great, treating depression is different for everybody. But I'm taking an anti-depressant because of the depression caused by Adderall. Reading the rest of the side effects, some of those aren't as uncommon as they'd like you to think as well, especially agitation, aggression, teeth grinding.

I thought it was just the crash at first, but then I realized the *only* time of day I feel good is after I take Adderall, and very briefly - this is the mild euphoria that happens right after you take it, and with years of use, it's gotten progressively shorter. All I'm saying is.. approach this with extreme caution, don't chase the euphoria by taking more (and more and more).

As far as your question, I take it right when I wake up because the later I take it the later I'll stay up and this can cause sleep problems. Plus, if I've got things to do that day, it just seems like a waste of time to delay taking Adderall. Might as well take it first thing. Don't keep it by my bed or anything, it's such a habit that I know to take it first thing because I know it'll help me get some things done for a few hours.

Thanks, I guess everyone is different. If my depression gets worse then I'll definitely let my pdoc know.
The thing is, my depression was diagnosed first (20 years ago!!) and my doctor is not definite about the ADD (I guess he's hesitant to say unless I get tested?) The second reason is to help me cope until the new antidepressant (which I just started) kicks in or at least my depression is under control (I will soon be starting therapy).
This also is not uncommon among those that haven't had a decent response from an antidepressant in years. Currently without the adderall, I'd have to take a leave of absense from work. It is helping me with many of the "ADD" symptoms that are either caused by depression, ADD or a combo.

I never suspected ADD in myself until my pdoc mentioned it last year, but now that I read the DSM-IV criteria, I do wonder if I've been struggling with just depression or both.

Anyway, sorry to go on and on. I truly appreciate your concern and that of rossragsdale, and will keep an eye on myself! I do have a followup appt with my pdoc in 3 weeks. He is very good about following up when I am struggling.

No.... You should not take Adderall or any stimulant for that matter (first thing in the morning)

You should always grab something to eat first.

Taking stimulants on an empty stomach can cause dramatic weight loss, as you probably wont be eating much during the day.

It can also upset your stomach if you take it on empty.

Thanks, I guess everyone is different. If my depression gets worse then I'll definitely let my pdoc know.
The thing is, my depression was diagnosed first (20 years ago!!) and my doctor is not definite about the ADD (I guess he's hesitant to say unless I get tested?) The second reason is to help me cope until the new antidepressant (which I just started) kicks in or at least my depression is under control (I will soon be starting therapy).
This also is not uncommon among those that haven't had a decent response from an antidepressant in years. Currently without the adderall, I'd have to take a leave of absense from work. It is helping me with many of the "ADD" symptoms that are either caused by depression, ADD or a combo.

I never suspected ADD in myself until my pdoc mentioned it last year, but now that I read the DSM-IV criteria, I do wonder if I've been struggling with just depression or both.

Anyway, sorry to go on and on. I truly appreciate your concern and that of rossragsdale, and will keep an eye on myself! I do have a followup appt with my pdoc in 3 weeks. He is very good about following up when I am struggling.
Both of my children have ADD. Both were diagnosed with depression first. I believe they go hand in hand.

I was on Adderall for over a year, my dose got up to 90mg. This is my experience at least...

I went off the deep end just recently and ended up in a mental institution. Thank you adderall and my hard to control overfocusing on useless things that should not even matter.

I have not taken adderall for about 2 weeks now or more. I feel so much better, the depression gets in the way, but while I had my lovely stay at the mental place I was diagnosed for the THIRD time with ADD. And to go along with that mild depression. I think the adderall just made it worst, but I think it's mostly because I am an adult who just in the past year diagnosed ADD. So I did not know of ways to cope with what was going on.

My whole life with so many failiures and traumatic experiences has left me hanging by a thread wondering why I was always making mistakes or why did such traumatic experiences happen to me?

Adderall DID help me though, I am not totally dissing it. I learned a lot about what I like and what I do not like and what I should have around me and what I should not have around me, but it was very easy to get addicted to the Adderall.

I have a prescription for the XR version 20mg. I am going to give that a try once I get a little more settled into the place I am at now. BTW, it wasn't just the adderall that drove me to the mental place, there were other factors involved, I think if I would have just cut off the outer source that was not medication, I more than likely would have had been better off with just me myself and my add medication.

So I think if someone is on adderall and a new adult who just found out about the possibility of having add then be very careful of what outside sources you keep around you, but make sure you do not alienate yourself off to the whole world. Keep prospective of what is most important around you and that in itself would be YOURSELF!!!! ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND NEVER ALLOW FORIEGN MATTER AROUND YOU THAT WILL ONLY END UP DESTROYING YOU IN THE END!!!!