Hello,

I'm not entirely certain where to begin. Do forgive me if the chronology's disjointed as I've got quite a bit on my mind and am finding it a bit overwhelming.

I've just started taking Wellbutrin (150mg, generic XL) to treat 'massive depression' and perhaps reverse SAD (seasonal affected disorder) and am interested in knowing if anyone else is taking it. If so, can you recall what your symptoms were which prompted you to take medication and can you also recall how long it took before you noticed a change?

I started taking medication (Effexor) about three or four years ago and switched to Wellbutrin when I changed doctors. For over two years I've been off all medications (mostly due to a lack of insurance) and living in Europe (Northern France then England). During this time without the aid of any medication and living in two foreign country's, I never experienced any symptoms of depression or anxiety. I've spent most of my life in Arizona where the weather couldn't be more dissimilar from Northern France and England. I've been back in America for about three months and my depression seems to have come back after five weeks here.

I started suffering from 'brain fog', dizziness, light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, mild panic attacks, and various other peculiarities. The curious thing is that the actual 'depression' is never a direct symptom. I generally become fed up with the other symptoms and that frustration seems to turn into depression (the thought that perhaps these symptoms will never subside and I'm going to have to carry on forever like this--that's what does me in).

I know that it's said a new medication can take three to four weeks before it a noticeable affect takes place, though when I began taking Effexor my symptoms seemed to be 'corrected' within days.

Does my experience sound at all familiar to anyone else's? If you believe you can contribute in any way, please do. My mother also suffers from depression, though her symptoms are completely different from my own.

(If you're asking why I'm posting at this website, I've been diagnosed with ADD as well. However, I've not begun to resume medical treatment for it as I've got questions about medication and long-term effects which should perhaps be addressed at another forum. I previously took Adderall XR 20mg and can't recall any significant complications. My current doctor's prescribed Adderall 10mg, though I'm afraid of beginning treatment after reading about 'Adderall induced psychosis' and possible affects of taking such a strong stimulant in the event of misdiagnosis.)

Hi John,

I can relate to what you've written. I had a very pervasive depression for a long time, although it's all but gone now (Yay!). It makes sense to me that you would not be feeling your depression while you were away. I could be off the mark but here's my take on it- You went on an exciting journey, things were new and challenging, and your mind was almost always engaged by something or other. And then you came back to your home, your routine, and your mind was no longer challenged and excited, and you fell back into your old fogginess. I know that fogginess- it's plagued me for years, and it plagues a lot of ADDers. I need a sense of purpose, of moving forward, of excitement or else I get apathetic and loggy and lose my motivation.

I've read that a lot of ADDers' depression will lift when their ADD symptoms are taken care of. This might be the case for you.
Keep plugging away! :)

akko

I thought that might have something to do with it as well. Back in America my life does feel rather pedestrian: work, friends, work, friends. In a way it feels less like I'm actually 'living' here and more like passing the time until I move again.

Can you recall how long it took for treatment to alleviate symptoms? I can't remember what dosage I was taking of Wellbutrin before I stopped treatment, but it may've been greater than the 150mg I'm currently taking. I'm trying to work out if I need to allow more time to pass before I feel a return to normality or if it's an issue of dosage.

On ADD and treatment, it seems like such a tricky thing to properly diagnose. I'm under the impression that doctor's prefer to error on the side of over-prescription than under-prescription as the rates of diagnosis are much greater in America than in other countries. From time to time my mind's been racing and I've felt anxious as a result of the depression and I'm afraid of any ADD medication or stimulants aggravating this. I'm cutting caffeine and any other stimulants out of my diet to see if it has any affect.

During my psychiatric visit, the doctor asked if I consume caffeinated beverages and what affect they have on me. I told her that I've been drinking caffeinated sodas for as long as I can recall and that caffeine's never seemed to have much of an affect me. I said that I sometimes feel relaxed or tired after drinking coffee. She said that comment in particular factored into her diagnosis of ADD. I'm doubting myself a bit and wondering if such drinks do truly affect me, though I'm generally unaware of it. I'm properly terrified of a 'Requiem for a Dream' type scenario. Is this rational or am I over-reacting?

I don't know anyone else personally who is currently being treated for depression/anxiety or ADD. I'd like to know that other people have got the same fears or questions and have gone through similar situations.

I truly do appreciate the reply. Cheers.

:p No, I don't think the Requiem for a Dream scenario is likely to happen. (great movie though!) You're informed, she wasn't. And Ritalin has been used for more than 50 years- it's effects have been studied extensively.

Although if you already feel anxious, I'm not sure stimulants will help with that. A lot of people take an antidepressant along with a stimulant to offset the anxiety, but wether you're comfortable with taking medication(s) is up to you. There are other ways to improve your mood and your ADD- check out some books like "Driven to distraction"- I found them very helpful. I just ordered Mastering your Adult ADHD- it's a cognitive behavioral therapy book. It's the most used form of treatment for anxiety disorders and I'm hoping it will help with ADD as well!

In my case the depression had already lifted quite a bit before I went on meds. It was a matter of finding my passion. Meds helped especially with the foggy, unmotivated feeling, and the social awkwardness- and helping those areas lifted my depression even more.

Good luck!

Just wanted to say that I've been feeling normal again for the last few days. I had actually forgotten how this is meant to feel. Brilliant!

That;s fantastic! Congrats! :)

Congrats too. Wellbutrin is a great medication esp. since it generally works so quickly. The Adderall should add many positives to the Wellbutrin IME. ;)