Discussing Adderall XR for treatment of depression?

T

Tyler

New member
I would like to talk to my doctor about Adderall XR (30mg) for my depression. I have depression, not major, like I am going to jump off a cliff right now. I have dysthymia, which is a long lasting, chronicly low mood, but not majorly low. It is not debilitating, it is just a looming moderate unhappiness, that fails to cease.

In July, I was at work and I mentioned that I wanted to take an Adderall to get all my summer assignments done for school. She mentioned that her GP had given her a script for Adderall XR (30mg). She said she didn't want it, so she gave it to me, and I took one to help me do all my summer assignments. I did all of them, no shocker there.

So, when classes started, I figured I would take one in the mornings to keep up with all my work, it's been working just fine, I don't feel like speedy, wired, or euphoric like, "Oh my god! This feels amazing!". I just feel better, like, it is all just okay for some reason. I am not having this looming sadness, I always felt. I finally feel like I am beginning to feel normal, and that I am finally recovering from the dysthymia.

I feel like I should tell my GP this next time I go, I tried psychotherapy for a long time, and it never really worked, and I didn't want to go on mainline antidepressants (Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, etc.) I am afraid that she will dismiss my claims as an attempt to get high of amphetamines (Adderall), or that I'm some college student in a pinch trying to cram for exams.

Should I discuss this with her, or not?
 
Any progress made should be discussed with your doctor to let them know that the treatment is working. She wouldn't take you off them if you have a legit reason. Just tell them the truth and you should be fine. However, if you are using them to get high, she will take you off them.
 
Any progress made should be discussed with your doctor to let them know that the treatment is working. She wouldn't take you off them if you have a legit reason. Just tell them the truth and you should be fine. However, if you are using them to get high, she will take you off them.
 
Adderall and other stimulants are sometimes prescribed for depression. But they are almost always used in only a few situations.

1) People with serious illness like cancer and AIDS tend to do better with stimulants rather than SSRI's and the others. Amphetamine also increases the "power" of narcotics and is beneficial for pain and contracting the side effects of narcotics.

2) Older people might take stimulants for depression, especially if severe apathy is a primary symptom.

3) Stimulants are used in people with refractory (treatment resistant) depression. Typically that means failing to respond to three antidepressants but most of the time many medications are tried first. So if a person does not respond to 12 or so drugs then stimulants might be used. Or very low dose (5-10 mg) might be used WITH an antidepressant to augment it.

The big problem with your situation is that you have not and do not want to try conventional treatment. And you have said your depression is not debilitating.

Since you have no reason to be dishonest online I will assume you are not taking them to get high. But you have to understand that when a doctor gives a controlled substance, especially schedule II, they are putting their licence on the line. And any problems often get put on them. So they are careful.

If you know your doctor well and she has treated you for a long time (at least 1 year, but longer is better) then she will probably be more open because she will know you better and trust you more than a patient she has treated for 1 month.

Despite all of that I think you should discuss it with her. If you are really honest and open about your problems, concerns, and so on then you are in a good position. It is possible that Adderall might be acceptable and when you are honest your doctor will appreciate it. Tell her you struggled with asking and say why. Say that you have started to get your life back now that you have taken Adderall. Hopefully she will listen and not make a snap judgement and think "addict" or "just wants speed to study with."

Tell her, you might be surprised. But be open to at least trying other things. If she mentions an antidepressant mention your concerns about them (whatever they are) but let her at least talk to you about them. You could always try one and if it does not work then Adderall might be fine. And people take both all of the time.

I know a lot of doctors as a patient and as a student. Don't just lie to her. Be honest and straight forward.
 
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