I was wondering if anyone has had this experience :

I notice a constant low level anxiety when I have NOT taken Adderall.
At the same time I am absolutely sure that I had this same anxiety before I even took the drug ( less than a year ) because I have written down notes
on my experience from the start.

Is it just that I notice the anxiety now after the drug wears off when before the anxiety was always there I thought that was "normal" ?

The question is then : Does anyone sense that this an Addreall dependency issue ?

I also experience a calm when I take adderall, that is the one of the desired effects as I understand. It is noticable to me the first day I don't take it, noticeable to others the second day I don't take it. Beyond that it generally does not worsen, unless there are additional, significant outside stressors.

I would say no, you just have two different frames of reference to compare: medicated and non-medicated. Dependency is not the word I would choose, because it has a negative inference, as in "so and so has a chemical dependency problem." But as others have brought up here, we do use the phrase "insulin-dependent" to describe some diabetics and we do so without passing judgement. For some reason at this time, certain individuals, groups and members of the media are passing judgement on those who use medication for AD/HD.

I do depend on the medication, the same way I depend upon my glasses. Is it a pain when I don't have my glasses? yes. Does my world fall apart when I can't find them, no. Do my relationships suffer when lose them, no. I can manage without, its just that things are sooooo much better when I wear them. For me, that's the dividing line.

yeh though i am more worried about my O2 dependancy (gets in the way of swimming)

but like you said i too had it before taking it.
I was asked once when was the last time i was sober because i used to do drugs to cope and now i take meds.
I answered that when i do not take anything i feel all screwed up so i have never really been sober unless you count now with the proper meds.
they got the idea and left the issue alone.

the diabetic analogy is a great one
who would tell a diabetic they are lazy for going into coma's?
but we are lazy for not getting stuff done.

As long as you aren't increasing dosage and getting less effect then ending up binging on massive doses I think you should be fine. With a doctor's supervision you should be OK. Many of the antidepressants have really severe withdrawl symptoms like a heroine addict gets so consider yourself lucky that what you are feeling is nothing like that. I'm going to go off my effexor and see how I do because I don't want to be in that situation.

Sorry, I'm talking my head off today, I must have posted 30 messages by now. I think I actually feel better without yesterday's effexor.

You might consider a smaller dose if it makes you uncomfortable or something more long lasting so the change isn't as dramatic.

paulbf has a good point longerlasting or more constant in serum level is a good thing then you do not feel the drug so much you just feel fine, if in fact it is the right dosage. i mix regular adderall and time release to get this effect.

I have the same problem with Ritalin.

I always had a certain level of anxiety, not hysterical, just subtle but constantly present. Gets worse when hormones get involved (PMT) and when I'm overloaded (esp. visually), but it's always been there.

In the first month and a half that I was on Ritalin it took away all anxiety (even after it had clearly worn off) but now it only keeps the anxiety at bay while it's working durign the day, and then in the evening, mot days the anxiety creeps back. If it gets really bad & I can't sleep, I sometimes take a half a tablet (5mg) which often helps me calm down and get to sleep.

I'm considering asking for Wellbutrin (only available in the UK as Zyban) to try, so I may be able to lower the Ritalin but keep a certain level of cover 24/7.

I, too, have noticed a decrease in my anxiety when being on Adderall. I just took a 2 day break from it and my anxiety really increased by day 2 of being off.

I'm also taking Wellbutrin 300mg and Lexapro 10 mg

Good stuff from all,
My experience is that when the addreall wears off I go into "normal" non-medicated mode consistently - after a little less than a year the med seems to have about the same effect - what about long term issues related to brain chemistry ? I guess there is a trade off here - I am willing to take this risk given that the effect radically changes my ability to "function" on a positive way.

Separate question : I understand that Adderal 30 XR ( timerrelease ) will in theory, ~30 mg for ~8 hours. In one of the posts in another area someone in interprested adderall 30 XR as providing 15 msg for 4 hours and 15 for another 4 hours - I thought this was a new way of looking at it. Any ideas ?