ADHD resulting in behavior problems/legal consequences?

[ADHDegree]

3 months ago I started experiencing racing thoughts especially at night, mostly during sleep that would even wake me up every 2 hours almost as if on a timer. I was also experiencing problems with anxiety out of nowhere, such as not getting into the car to avoid crashing the car. Worrying about things such as money, work, relationships, all for no apparent reason. I contacted my doctor about this and made an appointment. I suggusted that I may have ADHD and I believe I have my whole life. I used to climb the entertainment peice in my living room, as well as any tree I could figure out how to ascend. My mother, brother, and aunt all are treated for ADHD. The doctor mentioned a questionnaire of symptoms and I scored a 97 of 100 possible points.

No medications were started for ADHD. I was informed to take hydroxyzine for anxiety and to help with sleep and it did absolutely nothing for me at all. I tried 3 other medications before my doctor prescribed me with Ativan 1mg, 3x daily. It worked miracles (seemingly) and I was able to manage my symptoms. After informing my doctor that benzo's had worked I continued taking them for a few months. My doctor recommended switching to Klonopin as it has a longer half life and I would need to take less to manage. I was switched to 0.5mg of Klonopin and within a matter of a day I was having withdrawals.

I do not drink alcohol and have never been drunk in my life. The negative effects were the worst thing I have ever felt. I called my doctor to inform her that I was having feelings of impending death, as well as sweating, fatigue, nausea, etc. The doctor changed me to 1mg Klonopin 2x daily and told me to call back with any input on the new dosage. Withdrawals persisted and I was feeling no relief from what I had hoped would be a less strong onset and longer acting drug. I called back and informed her shortly after.

She changed my script to 2mg tablets of Klonopin 2x a day. I picked up my 60 pills from the pharmacy and went home around 6:15. There was an esculating situation involving my brother being drunk and wanting a fight. I remained in my room ignoring all the yelling and challenges being thrown my way. This situation was causing me great anxiety, especially after dealing with the pharmacy. I do not like going into places to eat, let alone to go get my medications. I took the pill to help de-esculate the situation as the medication should've done.

The new script which was double the previous dose did exactly the opposite of intended purposes! By 8pm I was after my brother with a knife and the police were on their way. I was arrested and charged with 2 counts of felony aggravated assault with a weapon and 2 counts of partner/family member assault, due to my mother being in the area of my brother they said I was yelling out profanities involving me harming them and even chasing my brother with the knife. I do not remember anything but bits and pieces of the event and that was only because I read the police reports, thoroughly confused about what had just occured. I was put in a cell alone with no clothes and no bed, just a concrete floor.

All I could do was sleep from the medication so I went to sleep against a cold wall. The police woke me up and had me take 4mg of Klonopin at once, which I most definately was not prepared to be taking. The medication knocked me out in my cell. All I remember is being woke up to be seen before a judge, where the judge deemed me as being dangerous and rude. I dont even recall what the judge was presenting me with as far as charges, I learned what they were from my lawyer. Because I was apparently non-cooperative and rude, the judge raised my bail from $10,000 to $30,000, and added the "aggravated" terms to my 2 counts of felony assault with a weapon as well as increasing the 2 misdemeanor partner/family member assault charges. I bailed out 30 minutes later after being brought back to my cell and once again the medication knocked me out. I was woke up by jailors saying someone was there to get me.

Ive literally never been more confused than this point in my life and I have to believe the incident was due to the paradoxical effects of Klonopin in a person with untreated ADHD. I have to answer to charges that equal roughly 42 years imprisonment as well as over $100,000 in fines. I got out of jail and contacted my doctor who made an appointment to see me and confirmed a diagnoses for Adult ADHD. She started me on 30mg of Adderall a day and instructed taking 4mg of Klonopin at night to deal with insomnia and anxiety.

Am I the only person in history to go way above and beyond what I would ever normally do directly caused by untreated ADHD and Klonopin? I dont remember the events that took place unless you piece it together for me and even then Im lost in what I did. It also included destruction of property that I would NEVER be able to achieve under a normal state of mind. I broke down 3 walls and ripped a shower away from the wall as well as all of the cabinets in my bathroom. Needless to say I feel very alone in this as I dont know anybody who has experienced this.

I think all of my inititial problems were more so related to long term untreated ADHD rather than GAD or Bi-polar, or anything like that. I have been evaluated and everyone I see claims I have ADHD with impulsive problems, but not anything like schizophrenia or depression or anything seriously abnormal, they even wrote in their notes that I was a pleasant cooperative person. I made an appointment with a psychiatrist that is supposedly very good, Im scheduled to go plead to the charges on the same day as my new doctor appointment. Im hoping to focus on my ADHD and also avoidance of aggression or impulsivity triggering situations. Any and all replies would be greatly appreciated! I would never ever go after my family like that, and I have never had a violent past or disturbing upbringing. I would love to hear of any cases similar, as they definately would help me understand as well as help my legal situation.

Thanks to all!

[sarahsweets]

There has to be something beyond the klonopin. Honestly, have you ever been evaluated for anything other than adhd?

[ADHDegree]

Ive been diagnosed with GAD but other than that I have problems with neurocardiogenic syncope, I have had "episodes" as I call them where I nearly or completely pass out intermittenly up to 9 times a day, and when I do pass out I have convulsions. Not a seizure though. Benzos are the only medication that have stopped episodes of syncope since 08. I have had every test known to man done including neurologists and cardiologists doing multiple tests, scanning my brain waves, checking for heart problems and every test is 100% normal. My first incident of syncope happened in 5th grade singing for christmas. Then in 08 I woke up underneath a semi truck that I hit doing 65mph+ after passing out, it was a normal day before that point. I am going to see a very expensive supposedly very very good psych in 2 days. I have to appear in court at 9am then leave town 90 miles for my appointment at 3pm. Thank you for reading such a big post. I appreciate it alot.

[ADDinHDefgHi?!]

Yeah, I can't imagine the Klonopin doing that, however I've heard of it having paradoxical effects in some people. I had a seizure once from withdrawal from xanax and apparently did things that I have no memory of, but that was from withdrawal.

I can't say, I do know how stressful those situations are from my one experience having a seizure. I'd talk to my psych if I were you. Also are you sure you weren't taking any other meds that could have had an interaction?

I'd be in shock if I were you, that's a lot to go through. I'd imagine they would have ran blood tests or something to see if anything was off physically, if they didn't they probably should. (Oops, just read that you had tests done. that makes more sense)

Hope you feel better!

[ADHDegree]

I was only on that one medication and had just started taking that much and had just been switched from Ativan to Klonopin. I cant explain why it happened, but I have read of people at higher risk to the paradoxical effects in certain situations. Such as people with underlying or already existing medical conditions, or people with environmental stressors, also it was noted these effects occur almost always after starting or increasing dosage. At the time I was living in an increasingly hostile home due to my stepfather and I not getting along.

He and I had altercations in the past as well as previous altercations with my brother. But most definately nothing like this happened in those times. I have always had issues with dealing with or processing emotions properly, as far back as I can remember. I tend to not share any feelings at all with anyone, and that can have consequences when you finally do let them out in a situation such as altercation.

I've been in plenty of fights, since I was very young I can remember scrapping with people, especially people who expressed aggressive behavior towards me first. I hold back for a long time, but once I cant hold back anymore I feel like the incredible hulk. As I mentioned above, I literally broke 3 entire lengths of wall during this as well as ripping things apart with ease. The seeming super strength is scary, especially when you add in the not remembering factor.

Is this consistent with anything anybody has heard of? It is a very lonely and scary position to be in, even more so that I need an explanation to present myself as not being a dangerous person to society. I have court Thursday and I cant imagine my lawyer even being of much help without something to present as a reason for this. I would never go after them like that, and I would have to be much stronger than I imagine I truly am to do what I did with such ease, it scares me even thinking about that rage or state of mind.

Its like you are no longer dealing with me once I let it go, as if somebody blocks out the connection between my brain and body. I have read a ton of information and I read where certain patients have had this experience to some extent. They described them, in stressful situations, to become more aggressive, agitated, hyperactive, impulsive, hostile, and even destroy property. Even reports of them being "wildly out of control", and "animal-like". Specifically people with a developmental disability that involves impulse or processing problems.

Also after the incident occured, I knew something had happened due to the fact I was being arrested, but I wasnt uncooperative toward officers. I have been called pleasant by them even. I maintained through school and even started college at 17, so obviously I am able to function and I am not having issues with other brain functions. Just certain situations, almost always involving perceived threats towards myself, have provoked this scary black-out type of reaction. Thanks to anyone with the time to read all of this, I dont know how rare or unusual all of this is, but I can promise you it is scary!!!

[ADHDegree]

I just read through my doctors notes I requested and found something possibly significant to what happened. On the date 6/5/12 I was noted as being happy and pleasant, taking 1mg Ativan 3x daily. That is the date my doctor switched me to 0.5mg Klonopin 2x daily. I called her back on 6/7/12 suffering from withdrawals, and I was instructed to go to the pharmacy and exchange my current .5mg Klonopin bottle with whatever was left.

I traded them over and received 60 2mg Klonopin to be taken 2x a day. I picked up the new prescription at 6:20pm and stopped by a drive thru for food before heading home for the night. During the time between getting food and going home, my intoxicated brother was verbally assaultive over a phone call, challenging me to some sort of fight. I got home a few minutes later and was in my bedroom downstairs.

My brother claimed he was coming to fight me, he doesnt live with me either. Having frustrations over this I took 2 of the newly prescribed pills to remain calm. I was arrested at 7:58 and charged with the whole mess, with 4 police pointing assault rifles at my head and yelling. I was obviously not in a normal state of mind, as I described above.

I didn't even notice the assault rifles pointed at me until I was being instructed and thrown against a vehicle. They had to put my hands up to pat me down for me, and I dont recall any words they said initially, including the verbal warnings they were yelling at me about putting my hands up. They also never read me my rights before arresting me, but apparently in my case that doesn't seem to matter to them.

It was like the whole incident was reconstructed by my mind once the effects wore off and I asked why I was in jail and what I had been charged with. The reality of what I am facing all set in at once and I was overwhelmed with confusion. Thats when they woke me up from a deep and sedated sleep and had me take 2 more pills.

I do not even recall taking the medication until after I had been seen before a judge to agree that I understand what I'd been charged with, and she claimed I was rude and uncooperative and raised my bail $20,000 and sent me back to my cell. The medication was so strong I was wobbling through the jail to the judge awaiting me, they had to lead me to a chair. I almost immediately was knocked out once put back into my cell.
Then they woke me up 30 minutes later to tell me someone bailed me out.

I was too affected still from the medication to even get myself dressed to leave the jail. Does that help explain why when I was confronted and provoked, under that new dosage, that I lost control and also didn't remember doing so? If I had underlying and untreated impulsive problems from ADHD would I be more easily provoked with the lack of inhibition from medication I wasn't used to taking in that dose at all?

[ADHDegree]

I went to the psych, and he diagnosed me with neurotic anxiety, sleep dysfunction, and social phobia. He went on to say that based on my previous diagnoses of neurocardiogenic syncope and adhd, I should have never been given benzodiazepines in the first place. He said without a doubt in his mind that I suffered a severe toxic reaction to Klonopin and that was the real reason I went crazy and didnt remember anything.

He stated that I am suffering from symptoms of neurocardiogenic syncope everyday, just not bad enough to pass out. He said it was due to lack of blood supply to my brain because the condition causes low blood pressure, and an abnormal reflex that lowers blood flowing to my brain even further. Especially in situations of stress or when under the dosage of Klonopin I took that evening.

He went on to say that I suffered from a severe reaction that day and it was directly linked to my syncope problems being affected by the Klonopin lowering my blood pressure, basically cutting off blood flow to the front area of my brain responsible for memory, as well as inhibition and behavior. He stated that this was further worsened by the lack of inhibition caused by Klonopin.

The man was very intelligent, and told me that he had dealt with cases of this a early as the 1960's. He said that the majority of people who experience this reaction almost always do not remember a thing. He said that with my conditions, as well as similiar situations of people sharing these same conditions as me in the past, that it wasnt uncommon to have experiences with rage, and/or psychotic episodes.

He kept a copy of all of my records and told me he will make a very thorough writing of my severe reaction and why it happened. Basically the man is going to save me from 42 years imprisonment, and gave me the much need mental relief I was seeking. I almost cried from being so happy, no longer felt so confused and alone, or that I was a dangerous crazy person.

Thanks to anyone who had the time to read this and I hope that anyone with similiar issues finds this information helpful.

[purpleToes]

What a terrible experience. I've never heard of this kind of reaction before. Best of luck with resolving the legal issues, sounds like it's going to be OK now.

[Benji8807]

What are the legal consequences for people with adhd resulting in these behaviors?

[ginniebean]

Klonopin can make people rage, Google is your friend. In some people it does have that side effect. You need a new medicatiin, you need to talk to your doctor about the side effect and. Your lawyer.

[ADHDegree]

The psych told me I suffer from low levels of dopamine in my brain and also suggested I try new medication. Im prescribed Adderall 30mgXR once a day and .25mg Mirapex before bed. I stopped taking Klonopin after the incident and I only take it if I have withdrawal symptoms. He told me to take the smallest dose I can, if and when needed.

He also told me that Adderall will help with my untreated neurocardiogenic syncope, by constricting blood vessels, as well as increase the work done by my heart. Since starting the new regimen I have felt much more motivated once I wake up, I have a new found ability to wake up and want to stay up and get something done. This has not been a normal part of my life for years now.

I haven't experienced any symptoms of presyncope since starting Adderall. I can actually go from sitting/laying down, to standing position without nearly hitting the floor each time. Adderall has most definately helped me in a huge way.

I was started on 30mg/day of instant release which didnt last more than 3 hours before I would start having those old issues again. Since switching to extended release I can maintain for a solid 10 hours, at the same dosage.

Are there any less dangerous medications for my anxiety that anybody would recommend? I have tried strong antihistamines in the past and found them to be useless in my case. Thanks for any input!

[ADHDegree]

The legal side of my cause equals out to 2 counts of felony aggravated assault with a weapon and 2 counts of partner/family member assualt. Which means I face a possible 42 years imprisonment and over $100,000 in fines. I already had arrainment for the charges on the day I saw the psychiatrist who told me it was a very real issue and especially if you have the conditions I do.

I plead not guilty to all 4, and I almost passed out from having to stand while he read the charges and what they result in for every one. I started having vision problems and felt like I literally was being choked off from everything around me and extreme weakness. Due to lack of blood getting to my brain from my syncope problem, which wasnt being treated, and from having anxiety issues.

Life has been miserable worrying all day about something that I still did not completely understand after reading for weeks, sometimes until 7am from midnight, just hoping to find something to help myself out of a huge and scary situation. They do not see, or understand what happened other than I am a bad person.