ADD meds for non-ADD folks?

[Sinopa2]

Hey everyone! I've been wondering this for a while - does anyone know how Ritalin, Adderall, or whatever effect people with ADD and people without it differently? I mean, does it actually do something different to the two peoples' brains? Or does it just help everyone concentrate?

I've been on Ritalin for a while now just for being so tired. I'm sick and they can't figure out what's wrong, so my doctor has me on this for now, so I can function enough for school. I LOVE this drug - it feels like a miracle by at least letting me out of bed - but I'm noticing more than just help for the fatigue. Sometimes it feels like speed... like, anxious, jittery, can't sit still. It's also a BIG help for concentration - class is 75 minutes long, and on Ritalin it flies by. Hehe, definitely never happened before.

Anyway, I'm just wondering - anybody know how all of this works? If you've got ADD, do you react to Ritalin the same way? I'm just really curious to how all of this is working... thanks for any input!

[addprogrammer]

Sinopa,

Sickness induced fatigue is an acceptable off-label use for Ritalin.

Some doctors have used stimulant reaction as a way to diagnose ADHD. The preponderance of current evidence suggests that whether ADHD has no bearing on reaction.

Certainly there is a very significant difference in reponse from person to person. What gives? Evidence suggests some people respond by increase in ability to focus whereas others are distracted by stimulant induced hyperactivity.

The theory that ADHD is not the variable is supported by the fact that 30% of clinically diagnosed ADHDers find either no reduction in ADHD symptoms or symptoms get worse.

So getting a nice focus boast from Ritalin does not mean you have ADHD. Many college students abuse stimulants to get a performance edge. They are not ADHD. It works anyway albeit at great risk.

Let's address the "jittery" issue.

An extended release version of methylphenidate such as Concerta may help. But tell your doctor that the jitters are the problem. He/she may have a better solution.

Bob

[flintrock]

Also, the most important part of taking this drug is that it is habit forming......I had a friend who used to take it for energy, got addicted to it, 2 years later she died of a heart attack at 32

[rheanna]

ADDProgrammer is right (as usual). People who have ADD react differently to different meds -- meaning that Ritalin & such don't help everyone with ADD. By the same token, people without ADD react differently to Ritalin & such. So the fact that you feel that you can concentrate better with Ritalin is not an indication that you have ADD.

flintrock also has two points which should be taken into consideration. Ritalin works not only on the brain, but also on the body. If you are having jitters, it means that you are pushing your cardiovascular system beyond where it feels comfortable. Heart problems can follow from too much usage. And addiction is certainly something to keep in mind. Since the drug is prescribed to me for a particular purpose, I am careful to take the minimum amount that will help me calm my chaotic brain without giving me jitters. When I find that I cannot sleep, I cut back on the amount, and I regularly take days off. I don't want to become addicted.

(Just as a side note, here in Germany they're just catching up to the U.S. in prescribing Ritalin for ADD children. For adults, Ritalin is normally prescribed only for narcolepsy. So for the few fortunate adults who can get a doctor to treat adult ADD, we have to sign a form which says that we are taking Ritalin "off-label". So the issue of "off-label" usage of certain drugs has different meanings in different places. )

If the drug is helping you fight your fatigue, then great. And if it's helping you concentrate in school, then also great. Just keep in mind that it's powerful stuff.

--Rheanna

[Sinopa2]

Hey all - just wanted to say thanks for responding! This question's been nagging me for ages, so it's great to hear from you all.