Do stimulants like Ritalin make you cry more easily?

[Salsa]

I can recall working in an office a few years ago when on Ritalin and when I would get frustrated about something I would literally break out in tears. Not on purpose either-- (to try to get sympathy or something like that). I'm a bit sensitive anyway, but it is magnified when I'm on Ritalin. It was extremely embarassing (and the embarassment made me want to only cry all the more). I ended up having to leave the job for one less stressful. (I say "having to leave" because I was still in my trial period at a university registration office and had I not found another job, more than likely, I would have soon been "asked" to leave).

I've noticed this in one of my dd's as well. Seems like she did a little bit better on Adderall.

~Sandy

[Margreet]

I cry more easily when I'm not medicated. When I tried Ritalin, it worked well for about 3.5 hours, and as it was wearing off, my ADD was worse: mood swings, irritability, weepiness, very low tolerance for frustration.

On Adderall, the pickup and let down are slower, smoother, and less noticeable. It's wearing off right about now, and my clothes suddenly feel too tight, and I couldn't stand the dog being under the desk bumping into my legs. I'm getting grumpier by the minute!

I often feel the way you describe when I'm not taking anything.

[Salsa]

Hmm. Maybe these things happened when the med was wearing off. Maybe this was my "meltdown" time.

[Kathleen_E]

I have ADD and am on Ritalin, well actually Metadate, but when I felt like what is described above, easy tears, etc. the reason was that I was hypothyroid. After my doctor gave me Armour thyroid I never had that again. Synthroid or levothroid didn't work the same. Apparently I needed the T3 which is in the desiccated natural thyroid, because I couldn't convert T4 (in Synthroid) to the active form of the hormone, which is T3. I know this is not on ADD but every problem in our bodies isn't necessarily caused by ADD and that is a healthy thing to remember.

Peace,
Kathy E.

[tudorose]

I cry more on medication (I'm on dex) coz i can feel more of my feelings and have more awareness.

[iced_cooly]

I found the opposite when I was on Ritalin, during times when crying was the most natural thing to do, I felt like my brain was sending out the signal but that I just didn't have the ability to cry. I felt kind of robotic that way.

[Salsa]

Thanks for all the replies. A few observations here.

First of all, I noticed it this time around when I first started taking Ritalin. (I'm not noticing it anymore). Maybe it was just an initial reaction.

Also, I noticed it a few years ago when I was on Ritalin BUT I was also just starting a new job at that time and it was (in my opinion) a stressful job. I wasn't having crying spells OFF the job. Only at work. Maybe it had nothing to do with the chemicals of the meds. Maybe it was more that awful feeling of failure. That feeling of "JEEPERS! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME??? HERE I AM TAKING RITALIN AND I STILL CAN'T CATCH ON TO A JOB....CAN'T CONCENTRATE.....CAN'T PAY ATTENTION....CAN'T FOLLOW DIRECTIONS....CAN'T (fill in the blank)."

It's that scarey feeling that I'm feeling again. (I posted about it on the job coaching forum).

~Sandy

[dixiepeep]

I am on Concerta 18 mg once a day but the doc gave me Ritalin short acting for afternoon. I am supposed to take it at one but after it wears off I am mad and cranky and yell and sometimes cry. I had to stop taking it. Any suggestions? I wish Concerta worked longer than 12 hours.

Originally Posted by Margreet

I cry more easily when I'm not medicated. When I tried Ritalin, it worked well for about 3.5 hours, and as it was wearing off, my ADD was worse: mood swings, irritability, weepiness, very low tolerance for frustration.

On Adderall, the pickup and let down are slower, smoother, and less noticeable. It's wearing off right about now, and my clothes suddenly feel too tight, and I couldn't stand the dog being under the desk bumping into my legs. I'm getting grumpier by the minute!

I often feel the way you describe when I'm not taking anything.

[FlakeyGirl]

Perhaps you could try taking it later than one, with your doctor's o.k. Time it so the cranky time coincides more with bedtime. Mine was wearing off at suppertime----wow, not a good time for me to be peevish. The doc may even suggest a second short acting dose.

[Keppig]

I had problems with crying too but it was my female doctor (as in female examination doctor) who told me that ridalin in doses over 10mg each can cause elevated anxiety and emotional feelings. I talked to my other doctor and lowered my ridalin to 5mg and my cry has reduced alot.