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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by yvonne on February 21, 2000, at 2:02:01
my son started taking ritalin when he was in 6th grade. When he was in 9th grade he was doing so well in school that he was taken off the ritalin. After around 3 months, he became very depressed and was put on affectine, an anti depressant. He felt less depressed, but his schoolwork had slipped terribly, and so he was put back on ritalin. He is now doing very again in school and is not depressed (he is still on affectine). I was wondering if anyone else had had the same thing (i.e., after taking ritalin becoming depressed)
Posted by JohnL on February 21, 2000, at 6:25:43
In reply to ritalin and depression, posted by yvonne on February 21, 2000, at 2:02:01
Yvonne,
In my opinion Ritalin and the other stimulants are an often overlooked treatment for depression. This is especially true when multiple antidepressant trials have failed. Back in the 1950's stimulants were used extensively to treat depression.
The reason is because there are so many chemical imbalances, instabilities, or failures that can cause the exact same symptoms of depression or most any other psychiatric condition. Ritalin stimulates NE/dopamine function, and can sort-of be viewed as replacement of those chemicals since it very closely resembles them. It also increases blood flow in parts of the brain. So if someone's depression is caused by NE/dopamine failure and/or insufficient patchy blood flow, Ritalin will target those with a bullseye while antidepressants hit around the edges.
On the other hand, Ritalin can make some people more depressed. Clearly in that case there is a totally different chemical problem the Ritalin is just making worse.
I think it is wonderful that you at least know what medications keep your son functioning well. The whys and hows, including what I've mentioned here, are just theories and are quite frankly irrelevant. All that matters in my world is that the patient gets well and stays well. I'm very pleased with your son's results and wish you continued success.
Posted by Noa on February 21, 2000, at 10:07:38
In reply to Re: ritalin and depression, posted by JohnL on February 21, 2000, at 6:25:43
> Yvonne,
>
when he stopped the ritalin, was it all at once, or tapered slowly off?
As you know it has an extremely short action time, so stopping abrubtly can cause a rebound effect.I take ritalin as part of my cocktail for double depression, and it helps me. But if I stop suddenly, I do get depressed. Even the dips between doses was bugging me, so I switched to the SR, so now it is a smoother day, and when it wears off, it is time to wind down for bed anyway.
Posted by Randy on February 25, 2000, at 11:15:10
In reply to ritalin and depression, posted by yvonne on February 21, 2000, at 2:02:01
i am on ritalin for adhd. i am a 21 yr old female. ritalin does make me "happier" when i'm on it. (it was not preccribed for depression), nor do i have depression, however, i think the "happiness" derived from it just comes from a more focused and uncluttered mindframe. perhaps the two, adhd and depression, are closely related.
Posted by Noa on February 25, 2000, at 18:56:39
In reply to Re: ritalin and depression, posted by Randy on February 25, 2000, at 11:15:10
>perhaps the two, adhd and depression, are closely related.
I think there is some thinking in this direction lately, evidence of them travelling together in families, etc. I am sure there are others here who have more info on this than I, tho.
Posted by Yvonne on February 27, 2000, at 12:08:57
In reply to Re: ritalin and depression, posted by Noa on February 25, 2000, at 18:56:39
I guess I was not so clear. The ritalin was prescribed for ADD, and it was only when he stopped taking it that he became depressed, when he was then prescribed affectine. My question was whether other people had experienced depression after they stopped taking ritalin.
Posted by Noa on February 27, 2000, at 17:16:30
In reply to Re: ritalin and depression, posted by Noa on February 25, 2000, at 18:56:39
I think the idea of tapering gradually still applies--going off of ritalin suddenly can cause rebound depression, I think.
Posted by Renee N on February 27, 2000, at 17:18:47
In reply to Re: ritalin and depression, posted by Yvonne on February 27, 2000, at 12:08:57
>
>
> I guess I was not so clear. The ritalin was prescribed for ADD, and it was only when he stopped taking it that he became depressed, when he was then prescribed affectine. My question was whether other people had experienced depression after they stopped taking ritalin.Yes, I have. I found myself feeling very clingy and sad for a few days. This is a common withdrawal problem when going off any stimulants.
This is the end of the thread.
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