Damned if I do... damned if I don't...
 

Hi all... I am 29 and I have ADHD and have been diagnosed as such for a few years now. I have a problem with Adderall... I need it to focus but the side effects that it has given me is devastating. I notice that the immediate release is worse than the extended release but I get these urges to look at pornography compulsively. I don't look or engage in pornography but when I am on Adderall I seem to get this urge as well as to do other addict OCD type behaviors such as checking and downloading and all that (I am diagnosed with OCD as well). I have a girlfriend so these urges and compulsions especially the pornography is unwarranted and not wanted. Not to mention I would often stay up two days at a time. All this came to be time consuming and something that definitely has stopped me from taking Adderall and therefore to get by I try to drink as much coffee as I can to help me focus.... I have done searching of this online and some other people seem to get this side effect as well both males and females. In the past when I was done meditation/brain-waves I noticed that it did help in the long run so I have to get back into this. But I wanted to just share my frustration regarding this.... I haven't tried other medications except Ritalin and I seemed to be getting the same type of effects with it. I tried Strattera for a few days one time and it made me depressed. Anyhow... it is extremely frustrating and either way it is keeping me from focusing and from my productivity and success. Thanks for listening to my frustrations and venting on this topic..

Hey friend

I get it
I've been found to
be eating when I am
sleeping
I to have OCD
do no suffer your
situation actually libid
out the window
I too have been on medication
from my shrink and
I do experience short term memory
does escape me
it can be recalled

good luck
did you talk to your girlfriend
about it, you may want to do
that she might be insecure
especially that you can do this
for two days

someone who cares

That's a part of why we're here. :Wave-Hello: Another is to try to help when/where we can. I'm guessing you've looked into it, but occasionally things change...

adderall alternatives for adhd

Doc

I've lost all interst in sex since my head injury..can barely even feel anything due to the damage. I guess the brain works in crazy ways and is affected by medicine as well as damage. good luck with your future. I thought coffee would have had the opposite effect. hmm.

Have you perchance been prescribed/taken any SSRIs since your injury?

Doc

That sucks. When I was on oxycontin (changed to fentanyl for RSD) I had this compulsion to shoplift! I've never had anything like that happen to me, so I got off it quick. The brain is so funny.

Unfortunately the OP has not been back since the day after posting, but the possibility also occurs to me that his system is so sensitive to these meds that what is considered a "normal" dose for many may just be too massive for him (considering it keeping him up for days at a time).

I have such a sensitivity to a few meds, as have others here for other meds.

Doc