Question about ASD/ADHD & meds..

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I've seen on the boards here and there that people with ASD will often have negative reactions to ADHD medications... what I'm wondering is what kind of reactions occur? And, is this usually in reference to stimulants? Can anyone share their experience?

Thanks,
Sue

After being on Adderall for a brief time, I eventually had a sort of nervous breakdown. Also it made my meltdowns worse..Really is a shame, as i really could use something to help me focus...

Ask your doctor. I understand that sometimes people are prescribed medication under the assumption that they have ADHD or depression, when actually what they have is bipolar (it can be hard to tell the difference, depending on your symptoms). If you have bipolar, then when you enter a "manic" phase, the stimulant or anti-depressive that was helping you before will suddenly have a detrimental affect, because it magnifies the mania. A more appropriate medication for someone with bipolar would generally be a mood stabilizer (often in the form of an anti-convulsant).



I'm no doctor, and obviously this isn't "medical advise", but you might want to see what he/she has to say about that.

Have been told that some people with ASD react negatively to stimulants. Stimulants increase concentration and that can cause a worsening of obsessive thoughts, special interests etc. And the increased impulse control given by stimulants can make you more withdrawn/less active in social situations.

I use Strattera which is not a stimulant. Has made me more withdrawn but the positive effects on impulse control and concentration outweighs the negative.

I haven't seen any positive benefit much from using stimulants. I was diagnosed with ADD but the latest psychologist I saw for assessment doesn't think I have it. I'm supposed to get assessed for it again on Tues but I don't have transportation to get there, so I'll have to reschedule my appointment, most likely.

My son has now started with Strattera. The Dr. has kept him on a low dose of a stimulant med (Adderall) until the Strattera is working.

Did you have an increase in irritability with dose increases, or on Strattera at all? I'm not seeking medical advise, just thoughts on the subject. Do you know if the tiredness will subside? We've decided to give him the Strattera now at dinner time in hopes to avoid fatigue during school hours.

I never tried a psychostimulant becuase according to the FDA, they have the same chemical makeup as your amphetamines. I've been tempted to pretend I'm ADHD long enough to get the meds prescribed to me to use as an energy pill. But, I haven't been so desperate yet to do so, maybe because I don't have enough energy to do even that lol.

Either way, I suspect it's possible that my cousin was misdiagnosed ADHD but is really Aspie. He said Ritalin made him feel like a zombie. He refuses to take it now. He does live in an area where it is more culturally accepted to go with natural routes of treatment. They are pretty anti-industry out there. Colorado, you know where they are trying to make tobacco illegal but legalize marijuanna. I think if you go to Boulder, you'll get in more trouble by the cops if you smoke a cigarette on the street corner than if you were to smoke a bowl.

Anyway, I think the wiser choice would be to only turn to a prescription drug if necessary. Docs make it sound like its safe now a days for little things without giving any consideration to the cost benefit ratio. Like antidepressants. It's to treat depression, but one of the potential side effects is that it will make it worse causing suicidal thoughts. Docs hand them out like its candy like a sad kid gets prescribed that now a days. I've read stories that said a 4 year old was prescribed Ritalin to help him with his shyness.

Yeah, I think many docs now a days need to stop abusing their own drugs so that they can stop trying to get all their patients on it too. I don't know if you ever met a cocaine dealer, but some doctors seem to operate in a similar way, and the pharmaceutical industry as a whole does as well. I'm just saying because I don't know why you are asking, and just as if a teenager started asking about what the buzz is like on weed, I have to add the disclaimer to avoid the peer pressure docs may give you to try out and sample the drugs they have for sale.

Became quite irritated and depressed at first but I now have less irritability than I had without medication. The tiredness subsided after a couple of months.

the only negative long-term effect that I've experienced was lack of appetite. I had some confusion and nausea the first few weeks but it passed, and spells of insomnia but I've always had those.

I also have slight arrhythmia but it was caused more by the street stuff and not the prescription meds.

I'm not a supporter of amphetamine based stimulants for adults. I was prescribed them for comorbid ADHD and had trouble sleeping, more anxiety, Reynauds syndrome to my nose and my all my muscles and joints began aching. Did enjoy the extra dopamine levels for a few months, so did my family. The extra emotions and caring ear was a real treat for the family. My father took them for 10 years until he became delusional, hallucinating and extremely paranoid. The affect is permanent for him.

Though this may not make much sense, from what I understand, the suicidal risk of antidepressants is actually due to how quickly people are recovering from their depression. At the lowest part, suicide is very very rare, because people don't have the energy to do them selves in at that point. It was explained to me that suicide attempts are normally right after the worst part of depression, while in a slight upswing, but still low enough to feel the hopelessness.

In other words, they are getting better, but aren't far enough along to see the light at the end of the tunnel yet.

i was on concerta (methylphenidate, same as ritalin) for about 8 months but it started making me feel tired when i was on it, i almost passed out in a lecture on the stuff after a good night's sleep, and it made me really irritable on the comedown, it actually caused a big argument with my parents that ended with me packing up my stuff and moving out early. i switched to dexedrine after that fight and it's much better. when i'm on it i'm not tired, i can concentrate better, i'm not irritable and the comedown isn't that bad. the only side effects i have are a lack of appetite, and it does make my perseverations (obsessions, stims, etc.) more intense, so i have to be careful because i can quickly lose track of time if i get sidetracked and waste valuable time (like now, back to studying math).

During the meltdowns I had while on Adderall, I would feel almost suicidal.

Has anyone here aver tried non-stimulant ADD meds?
I have always been leery of them because I don't know how they are supposed to work.

never tried them, what non-stimulant meds are you talking about? i'm sure i've heard of some of them but they slip my mind right now.