Anxiety & ADD? - Anxiety Message Board

oceanchic · 09-08-2003, 09:44 AM

I am new on this board, I have had ADD since I was about 13, I have been taking Adderall since then as well. A few weeks ago I went in to the doctor for a normal check up and my blood pressure was unusually high. I started telling the doctor about a few symptoms I had been noticing and he is starting to think that I have high anxiety. For one I always think something is wrong with my heart, it beats funny or not enough or to fast, anything can make me panic. I don't sleep well I wake up in the middle of the night with my mind racing and can't get back to sleep cause i am stressing about pointless things. Then there is not being able to catch my breath, this happens constantly. I am always taking big deep breaths. About a year ago I had 2 incidents where I had to be taken to the hospital cause I was sure I was having a heart attack or something, it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. They basically said I had heart burn and that was that. I know I have anxiety problems and what I am wondering is if anyone here who has ADD also has anxiety? I am worried that the medication I take for my ADD has been adding to my anxiety? Any suggestions would be great!!

Jennita · 09-08-2003, 01:43 PM

Adderall is not medicine, it's speed, pure and simple. I don't care if the psychiatric community says it's medicine...if it walks like a duck....

Yes, it is controlled, but that's the only difference.

Speed will cause anxiety...it over-stimulates the nervous system and the brain. It will cause sleep disturbances and insomnia, high blood pressure, heart problems. Just look up the PDF on the internet.

Doctors may choose to give you anxiety meds, which may help temporarily, but more drugs...more problems.

If you choose to discontinue Adderall, do so very slowly to avoid severe symptoms of withdrawal.

Beth* · 09-08-2003, 02:34 PM

I agree that all the symptoms you have seem to stem from your meds that you are currently on. Shame on your doc to let this slide. Get a second opinion as if you are the least bit high strung or prone to anxiety this med will exaggerate these symptoms for you. Good luck and dont go "cold turkey" whatever you do!

Beth

Iss · 09-09-2003, 10:26 AM

Hello,
I can share the same story. I was put on ritalin for my add and my anxiety went sky high. I got of the medication and it made a big difference. I choose not to take any medication for my add. Just work on organizational skill and everything else we add people need to work on and you'll do fine w/ out it!

good luck
Iss