Effexor for Adult ADD w/anger and GAD??

maurinek · 02-09-2001, 03:55 PM

My boyfriend was diagnosed with ADD when he was in his teens (He's 27 now). He has the usual ADD symptoms: Easily distracted, angry outbursts that come from nowhere, complete
disorganization, unfinished projects, extreme unexplained moodiness, etc. He also has GAD (generalized anxiety disorder).

He just went to a psych. and he gave him Effexor XR explaining that this medicine will help with the anger, moodiness, depression, GAD and, overall, the ADD. I was surprised that he gave him this med to try. Can anyone explain the prescription to me??

Thanks a bunch! M

Jodi · 02-13-2001, 09:52 AM

I really do not know much about this medicine, but this is also what the dr. gave my husband to use for his add. He told my husband that it had the least amount of side affects and wanted to start him on it first before trying stronger medication. He has been on it forabout a month and it has worked very well. My husband hasn't had any side affects at all. It took almost two weeks before we could really see any progress, but now I see it every day! Good luck

maurinek · 02-13-2001, 10:11 AM

Hey jodi thanks!

I do hope this med works for my boyfriend. He is experiencing some bad tiredness so far but has been directed to stay on the meds a bit longer to see if this side effect will go away. Did your husband have any troubles with side effects? I'm more concerned about the "Sexual" side effects with this med.

M

smackliet · 02-13-2001, 01:47 PM

I am curiouse about how this works also.
My son is adhd and bi-polar.
His Dr. told me that children w/ Bi-Polar
are often diagnosed as add or adhd.
Has you husband or boyfriend been reevaluated sence they were children.
Violent out burst are not a trate of add but it is of bi-polar.

maurinek · 02-13-2001, 02:02 PM

hi smackliet,

My boyfriend was, in fact, diagnosed with bi-polar and ADD when he was a kid. Yes, he was rediagnosed just last week with GAD, mild depression and ADD combined.

Angry outbursts are indeed a trait of ADD. Get the book called, "Driven to Distraction" by Hallowell and Ratey for a nice overview of AD/HD and all the symptoms which include extreme moodiness, emotional outbursts, a tendency to 'zoneout', unable to complete projects, among others.

I'll keep in touch about the meds.

Good luck to you!