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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by chienandalusia on February 6, 2006, at 16:46:19
Hi I'm a 23 year old male and I was just told by a psychologist who gave me a cognitive evaluation that I show enough signs of ADD to warrant taking medication. She said something about not being able to make a formal diagnosis or something because I had not been diagnosed as a child, but that in her estimation my symptoms are not mild.
I already talked to my psychiatrist about wanting to take Adderall, rather than a non-stimulant, if the psychologist concluded that I exhibit ADD. The psychiatrist agreed that it would be OK and I have an appointment with her tomorrow. So I guess I have to decide whether to ask for IR or XR, and how much.
Oh yeah, also, I've been seeing this CBT therapist and he recently asked me a bunch of questions from a "SKID" test or something. He's still a student, so his diagnoses are pending his supervisor's approval, but he said I exhibit major depression, social phobia (or social anxiety, I can't remember), and body dismorphic disorder. That last one "explains" why I have such horrible self-loathing over my acne. Since I've taken accutane some months ago, my acne has improved greatly, but I still see it as a reason to hate and isolate myself.I've hardly given AD's a shot and I've mostly been self-medicating with lots of coffee. I'm always amazed how quickly and dramatically it makes me feel better. Which is why I've been pushing (albeit subtly) for a stimulant, specifically Adderall. But I'm worried Adderall may exacerbate my acne, which could be devastating to me. Perhaps that's less likely with XR than IR?
Also, my depression truly is chronic. I tried Zoloft and didn't feel anything, though I only took it 5 weeks. Then I tried Wellbutrin and didn't like it because it made me feel sickish to drink coffee, and also because I'd read it could exacerbate acne, which made me scared of it; I only took it 3 weeks. Then I tried provigil, and felt especially stoopid and stopped after only a week.
I got the idea that since coffee helps me so much, a more powerful stimulant would be perfect. So for a while I've been telling the psychiatrist I think I wouldn't be so depressed if I got some relief from what one could call my ADD symptoms: flakiness, difficulty completing tasks, tendency to zone out when faced with challenges. But I don't know, maybe I need an AD, too. Or instead. Basically I'm scared of acne. I'm easily scared, generally.Any idea how to avoid acne while on Adderall? And, as I'm hoping Adderall will help my depression, should I take it everyday? Many say weekend breaks are important. Any day I take a break from coffee I get nothing done. Finally, how about how lifestyle affects acne? Right now I don't eat well and I have a lot of stress due to constantly criticizing myself. Perhaps on Adderall, I'd get more, better work done, be more organized, do more cooking and thus eat better, and socialize more. This would improve my mental and physical health, which would, in turn, improve my skin, thus negating the acne-inducing effects of Adderall. Is this plausible?
Thanks very much. Any advice on any of the various topics above is greatly appreciated.
Posted by alohashirt on February 6, 2006, at 22:56:05
In reply to I'm starting Adderall and I need your advice, posted by chienandalusia on February 6, 2006, at 16:46:19
Let the psychiatrist guide the dosage (assuming they are experienced with adult adhd) Adderall is popular because it is heavily marketed. My impression is that more poeple get benefit from dexedrine, Concerta, and Focalin XR than Adderall and with fewer cardio side effects but everyone is different.Beware students who give you three diagnoses in one session. I'd encourage you to consider working with an experienced therapist who can support you through this time, without needing to diagnose or label.
Good luck!
Acne- the regime at acne.org is the best. They have a very low dose BP cream that is better than the Neutrogena 2.5% cream and less than 1/10th the price.
> Hi I'm a 23 year old male and I was just told by a psychologist who gave me a cognitive evaluation that I show enough signs of ADD to warrant taking medication. She said something about not being able to make a formal diagnosis or something because I had not been diagnosed as a child, but that in her estimation my symptoms are not mild.
>
> I already talked to my psychiatrist about wanting to take Adderall, rather than a non-stimulant, if the psychologist concluded that I exhibit ADD. The psychiatrist agreed that it would be OK and I have an appointment with her tomorrow. So I guess I have to decide whether to ask for IR or XR, and how much.
>
> Oh yeah, also, I've been seeing this CBT therapist and he recently asked me a bunch of questions from a "SKID" test or something. He's still a student, so his diagnoses are pending his supervisor's approval, but he said I exhibit major depression, social phobia (or social anxiety, I can't remember), and body dismorphic disorder. That last one "explains" why I have such horrible self-loathing over my acne. Since I've taken accutane some months ago, my acne has improved greatly, but I still see it as a reason to hate and isolate myself.
>
> I've hardly given AD's a shot and I've mostly been self-medicating with lots of coffee. I'm always amazed how quickly and dramatically it makes me feel better. Which is why I've been pushing (albeit subtly) for a stimulant, specifically Adderall. But I'm worried Adderall may exacerbate my acne, which could be devastating to me. Perhaps that's less likely with XR than IR?
>
> Also, my depression truly is chronic. I tried Zoloft and didn't feel anything, though I only took it 5 weeks. Then I tried Wellbutrin and didn't like it because it made me feel sickish to drink coffee, and also because I'd read it could exacerbate acne, which made me scared of it; I only took it 3 weeks. Then I tried provigil, and felt especially stoopid and stopped after only a week.
>
> I got the idea that since coffee helps me so much, a more powerful stimulant would be perfect. So for a while I've been telling the psychiatrist I think I wouldn't be so depressed if I got some relief from what one could call my ADD symptoms: flakiness, difficulty completing tasks, tendency to zone out when faced with challenges. But I don't know, maybe I need an AD, too. Or instead. Basically I'm scared of acne. I'm easily scared, generally.
>
> Any idea how to avoid acne while on Adderall? And, as I'm hoping Adderall will help my depression, should I take it everyday? Many say weekend breaks are important. Any day I take a break from coffee I get nothing done. Finally, how about how lifestyle affects acne? Right now I don't eat well and I have a lot of stress due to constantly criticizing myself. Perhaps on Adderall, I'd get more, better work done, be more organized, do more cooking and thus eat better, and socialize more. This would improve my mental and physical health, which would, in turn, improve my skin, thus negating the acne-inducing effects of Adderall. Is this plausible?
>
> Thanks very much. Any advice on any of the various topics above is greatly appreciated.
Posted by paulbwell on February 9, 2006, at 4:17:38
In reply to I'm starting Adderall and I need your advice, posted by chienandalusia on February 6, 2006, at 16:46:19
> Hi I'm a 23 year old male and I was just told by a psychologist who gave me a cognitive evaluation that I show enough signs of ADD to warrant taking medication. She said something about not being able to make a formal diagnosis or something because I had not been diagnosed as a child, but that in her estimation my symptoms are not mild.
>
> I already talked to my psychiatrist about wanting to take Adderall, rather than a non-stimulant, if the psychologist concluded that I exhibit ADD. The psychiatrist agreed that it would be OK and I have an appointment with her tomorrow. So I guess I have to decide whether to ask for IR or XR, and how much.
>
> Oh yeah, also, I've been seeing this CBT therapist and he recently asked me a bunch of questions from a "SKID" test or something. He's still a student, so his diagnoses are pending his supervisor's approval, but he said I exhibit major depression, social phobia (or social anxiety, I can't remember), and body dismorphic disorder. That last one "explains" why I have such horrible self-loathing over my acne. Since I've taken accutane some months ago, my acne has improved greatly, but I still see it as a reason to hate and isolate myself.
>
> I've hardly given AD's a shot and I've mostly been self-medicating with lots of coffee. I'm always amazed how quickly and dramatically it makes me feel better. Which is why I've been pushing (albeit subtly) for a stimulant, specifically Adderall. But I'm worried Adderall may exacerbate my acne, which could be devastating to me. Perhaps that's less likely with XR than IR?
>
> Also, my depression truly is chronic. I tried Zoloft and didn't feel anything, though I only took it 5 weeks. Then I tried Wellbutrin and didn't like it because it made me feel sickish to drink coffee, and also because I'd read it could exacerbate acne, which made me scared of it; I only took it 3 weeks. Then I tried provigil, and felt especially stoopid and stopped after only a week.
>
> I got the idea that since coffee helps me so much, a more powerful stimulant would be perfect. So for a while I've been telling the psychiatrist I think I wouldn't be so depressed if I got some relief from what one could call my ADD symptoms: flakiness, difficulty completing tasks, tendency to zone out when faced with challenges. But I don't know, maybe I need an AD, too. Or instead. Basically I'm scared of acne. I'm easily scared, generally.
>
> Any idea how to avoid acne while on Adderall? And, as I'm hoping Adderall will help my depression, should I take it everyday? Many say weekend breaks are important. Any day I take a break from coffee I get nothing done. Finally, how about how lifestyle affects acne? Right now I don't eat well and I have a lot of stress due to constantly criticizing myself. Perhaps on Adderall, I'd get more, better work done, be more organized, do more cooking and thus eat better, and socialize more. This would improve my mental and physical health, which would, in turn, improve my skin, thus negating the acne-inducing effects of Adderall. Is this plausible?
>
> Thanks very much. Any advice on any of the various topics above is greatly appreciated.It sounds like Coffe does it for you, this would be preferable than all the hassle of aquiring Amphetamines, (C11 drug 'n' all) and probably safer.
let us know?
cheers
Posted by pseudoname on February 9, 2006, at 14:13:51
In reply to I'm starting Adderall and I need your advice, posted by chienandalusia on February 6, 2006, at 16:46:19
Hey, Chien,
I don't know anything about the acne, except that it isn't listed in my PDR side effects for Adderall. I see on other web sites that people do notice an amphetamine-acne connection, but it *seems* like it's not a very common reaction, so maybe you don't have much to worry about. Here's hoping.
> I got the idea that since coffee helps me so much, a more powerful stimulant would be perfect.
I had that idea, too, but it didn't work out. For me, caffeine & amphetamine have very different cognitive effects. Caffeine improves my mood tremendously -- IF I haven't had any for a week or more. Adderall also has a mood-improving effect for me, but it's different and not good as caffeine. Metadate (slow-release methylphenidate) isn't as good as either Adderall or caffeine to me, but old Ritalin (BANG-crash methylphenidate) was even better.
> ...his diagnoses are pending his supervisor's approval, but he said...
I wouldn't get too hung up on any diagnostic labels. They're vague, arbitrary, best-guess categories that don't reflect real lives very well. I agree with alohashirt: "consider working with an experienced therapist who can support you through this time, without needing to diagnose or label."
Also, I don't think anyone should be told they have a psychological disorder just because they feel self-conscious about facial acne. Everyone has responses like that! Rather than "diagnosing" you, I'd hope a therapist would help you realize that you can socialize more even when you do feel self-conscious. The rewards possible from socializing will eventually outweigh the pain of the self-consciousness. Remember that you don't have to be "cured" of the one before engaging in the other.
Good luck & keep us posted.
Posted by gardenergirl on February 9, 2006, at 15:05:34
In reply to Adderall vs caffeine » chienandalusia, posted by pseudoname on February 9, 2006, at 14:13:51
My pdoc recommended the equivalent of four cups of coffee in order to get a certain amount of caffeine for me. I've got some inattention problems, but I can't take stims since I'm on Nardil. I know some have taken low doses of stims with MAOI's, but my pdoc is against.
The caffeine helps as opposed to nothing, but I get tenderness in certain parts of the body that's annoying.
Provigil is the next thing for us to consider, and I think I'll ask for a trial next time I see her in a few weeks. I'm really tired of being so distractible and scatterbrained. So's my hubby.
gg
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