I was told by my previous doctor that I don't have ADD. But, I suffer from concentration problems due to depression and would like to take either a stimulant or straterra. I would rather not take an antidepressant because the side effects would be worse than with a stimulant. Has anyone been in this same situation? Can anyone offer advice?

I was told by my previous doctor that I don't have ADD. But, I suffer from concentration problems due to depression and would like to take either a stimulant or straterra. I would rather not take an antidepressant because the side effects would be worse than with a stimulant. Has anyone been in this same situation? Can anyone offer advice?

Sometimes stimulants can make depression worse. Usually stimulants are not prescribed for depression. If your concentration problems are due to depression then you need to be on a treatment specifically for depression... either an anti depressant medication or some sort of alternative treatment.

Those sympoms describe me. My doc says that depression, add, bi polar and stuff like that are closely related in ways that the medical community doesn't exactly understand. I have depression and can't concentrate because of it. He recommended that I try Strattera. Also said it should also help my depression, possibly as effectively as prozac.

I plan on starting next week. Good luck and I would like to hear about your results.

Peaches, I don't necessarily agree that the side effects from antidepressants are worse than those of straterra or the stimulants. The old tricyclics were a bit wicked, but the SSRI's tend to have very mild side effects, if any. If you truly are depressed, I would hate for you not to try them just because you are afraid of the side effects! Good luck!