Adderall and Depression: What Users Say

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2023

For ADHD "Since being switched to the generic version of Adderall, Dextroamp-Amphetamine manufactured by Alvogen, I have been experiencing negative side effects for the past three days. I have become irritable, emotional, and easily agitated by noises, including music that I previously enjoyed. I have also been experiencing fatigue, lack of motivation, and difficulty reading. My speech has become slurred and confused, and I have developed tension headaches. I want my sparkle back, and I couldn't care less about anything. I’m surprised I’m writing this review as I am currently feeling scattered and embarrassed."

• Spa...
• January 29, 2020

For ADHD "I have found the generic brand for Adderall is not as effective as the brand name. The Epic brand caused me to have severe depression, blurred vision, headaches, feeling very tired, and no focus at all. I’m trying to find a brand that is more similar to the name brand. Looking for suggestions if anyone can share, please. Thanks."

• Joh...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 10, 2023

For ADHD "Adderall (amphetamine salts, generic Teva) has always worked well for me. Recently, I had to start taking the Lannett generic due to the shortage, and it has been HORRIBLE. I’m jittery, anxious, and depressed. This stuff is like poison. Please write a complaint to the FDA MedWatch if you or anyone you know is having issues as well. It’s so frustrating."

• ADD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2023

For ADHD "Alvogen Adderall is horrible. Not only does it not work for my ADHD symptoms, but it also makes me feel down and tired, and I already suffer from chronic fatigue. 20 mg of Alvogen doesn't come close to 5 mg of TEVA or SANDOZ. Now I know why CVS had Alvogen Adderall in stock during this shortage - people probably ask and refuse to fill it. I would rather take nothing at all than Alvogen. There is a huge chasm of quality among generic Adderall manufacturers."

• ADH...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 10, 2023

For ADHD "I've been on Adderall for 9 years, and this shortage has made life miserable. For people who need it to get through daily life, we're the people suffering the most. Teva was always the best generic, but I haven't been able to find Teva for a year or more. The Rhodes kind and the Lannett kind are both terrible! The efficacy of both of those brands is extremely low, like they are just sugar pills. Plus, they've increased my anxiety and increased my number of regular headaches. The powers that be need to get this situation under control, or lots of us who struggle with ADHD and other comorbidities aren't going to make it out alive. Literally. The depression I've struggled with for most of my life has been more severe for the last year, even though I'm still treated for it by my psychiatrist! We are real people with prescriptions from real doctors who deserve consideration! And our meds!"

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2023

For ADHD "I have been on Adderall XR for 21 years. Three months ago, my script was filled with Lannett 'generic' XR. I have taken Teva generic and had no issues, so wasn't concerned. At about the same time, I started having issues with depression, body aches, and brain fog. About two months later, I started an anti-depressant because I thought I was just depressed. I ended up being allergic to the anti-depressant, so had to get off of it. Following that, the symptoms just got worse, at one point, I didn't get out of bed for a week. By chance, I didn't take the Lannett XR, and I noticed a significant change in how I felt. I switched to a different manufacturer because only Lannett XR was available (due to the Teva outage). Within two days of being on that, my symptoms significantly improved. The next month, I decided to pay out of pocket for brand XR, and all the symptoms went away. Lannett is awful, I'm not sure what the FDA approved here as a 'generic,' but for me, it was horrible and led to major depressive disorder."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2022

For ADHD "DO NOT TAKE THE LANNETT, ELI-515. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, I wouldn't recommend this. I was given it, it is not Adderall. It’s a therapeutic equivalent. My other meds stayed the same, my routine, diet, except for getting this. It has rendered me completely hopeless, crippling depression, lethargic, overwhelmingly anxious, my stomach is churning non-stop, so I cannot even eat on it without getting violently ill. I saw my psych after a week on it, for 6 days, thinking it was Adderall and I was just doing something wrong. I told my psych the pill description and how it made me feel, he looked it up and said, “No, you’re not making any of this up, this isn’t the correct medication, but unfortunately, the pharmacy input it as Adderall, so legally we can’t do much about it.” I have flushed it down the toilet. If you receive these at a pharmacy, please speak to the pharmacist directly about it."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2022

For ADHD "DO NOT TAKE THE LANNETT, ELI-515. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, I wouldn't recommend this. I was given it, it is not Adderall. It’s a therapeutic equivalent. My other meds stayed the same, my routine, diet, except for getting this. It has rendered me completely hopeless, crippling depression, lethargic, overwhelmingly anxious, my stomach is churning non-stop, so I cannot even eat on it without getting violently ill. I saw my psych after a week on it, for 6 days, thinking it was Adderall and I was just doing something wrong. I told my psych the pill description and how it made me feel, he looked it up and said, “No, you’re not making any of this up, this isn’t the correct medication, but unfortunately, the pharmacy input it as Adderall, so legally we can’t do much about it.” I have flushed it down the toilet. If you receive these at a pharmacy, please speak to the pharmacist directly about it."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2022

For ADHD "DO NOT TAKE THE LANNETT, ELI-515. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, I wouldn't recommend this. I was given it, it is not Adderall. It’s a therapeutic equivalent. My other meds stayed the same, my routine, diet, except for getting this. It has rendered me completely hopeless, crippling depression, lethargic, overwhelmingly anxious, my stomach is churning non-stop, so I cannot even eat on it without getting violently ill. I saw my psych after a week on it, for 6 days, thinking it was Adderall and I was just doing something wrong. I told my psych the pill description and how it made me feel, he looked it up and said, “No, you’re not making any of this up, this isn’t the correct medication, but unfortunately, the pharmacy input it as Adderall, so legally we can’t do much about it.” I have flushed it down the toilet. If you receive these at a pharmacy, please speak to the pharmacist directly about it."

• Lau...
• April 1, 2013

For ADHD "Adderall is effective, but it comes with consequences. Both to your physical and mental health. I am 27 years old, I have taken Adderall on and off for about 10 years. Started it my freshman year of college. It was AMAZING at first! Lost that freshman 15, got straight A's, actually ENJOYED my work. Then I started noticing the crash symptoms. Tired, withdrawn, emotionless, sleepless. I stopped taking it because I hated the way it made me feel, but I realized how much more productive I am when taking it. When I start taking it again my immune system is shot, I'm constantly sick with something, I get super irritable. When I don't take it I can barely get out of bed and I always gain weight, which always sucks. It's a vicious cycle."

• Lau...
• April 1, 2013

For ADHD "Adderall is effective, but it comes with consequences. Both to your physical and mental health. I am 27 years old, I have taken Adderall on and off for about 10 years. Started it my freshman year of college. It was AMAZING at first! Lost that freshman 15, got straight A's, actually ENJOYED my work. Then I started noticing the crash symptoms. Tired, withdrawn, emotionless, sleepless. I stopped taking it because I hated the way it made me feel, but I realized how much more productive I am when taking it. When I start taking it again my immune system is shot, I'm constantly sick with something, I get super irritable. When I don't take it I can barely get out of bed and I always gain weight, which always sucks. It's a vicious cycle."

• Jef...
• February 26, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD at eight. I was put on Ritalin then. Awful stuff. That turned me away from taking anything for years. I started taking Adderall XL at the age of twenty-seven. I didn't notice a change until my doc raised my dosage from 20 to 25 mg. My work was better. Heck, my life turned around. I finished projects I started. I paid attention. I remembered little things that used to evade me. Like names, where I put things, and what I was just doing. I also noticed I wasn't as depressed. I could sleep better. Just do not take XL late or sleeping may be difficult. One thing, and I can't stress enough. If you have a loved one who is on or going to be on Adderall. It is addictive. Watch for the signs of abuse. Monitor teens."

• Drk...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 1, 2018

For ADHD "Adderall (amphetamine) will seem fantastic the first time it is prescribed. But as the years go by and tolerance increases, you will need more. It also down-regulates dopamine in the brain (which eventually means that it has been associated with dopamine depletion in the striatal area of the brain and frontal cortex). Dopamine effects pleasure. When it becomes low (the brain will compensate by lowering dopamine when taking amphetamine, because Adderall increases it). When this happens, you will need to continue taking it or you may experience what is called anhedonia (look that up). This is a very dangerous drug that can permanently change brain chemistry."

• Abb...
• October 23, 2016

For ADHD "I was recently put on Adderall for ADD. I have suffered ever since I can remember with not being able to focus on anything, having a wandering mind, and doing very poorly in school. I began to just think school wasn't for me. I had heard many negatives on Adderall, and that is why I never asked my doctor if it would be an option for me. He suggested I give it a try, and now I am on 10 mg every day/as needed, and I feel better than I have in years. It has helped my depression/anxiety as well. I am happy to learn now and attend school. Wonderful drug for me."

• fre...
• April 2, 2015

For ADHD "I was diagnosed 8 years ago with ADD. At 45, I wish I'd had this info and medication. My life has changed for the better. I do notice a major difference in the pink 30 mg versus the orange. The pink ones make me feel like I'm a zombie. They also make me sad, and I get red blotches over my body."

• squ...
• August 28, 2019

For ADHD "I had taken Adderall for many years and was slowly on the decline. I was deeply depressed and had an absolute hopeless and helpless outlook on life with no relief. I had psychosis, delusions, and impulsive behavior, which I never had. I began having issues with memory, thinking, reasoning, decision-making, tasks, and concentration. I would become very agitated if interrupted. I was very aggressive and agitated constantly, it was at least 98% of the time in 10 years. I read horror stories about stimulants, namely the amphetamine line of them. I subsequently tapered off of them and feel 100% better than before. I have no depressive symptoms, delusions, memory problems, agitation, or aggressiveness. I was not happy with life, and my personal relationships were very toxic. I wasted almost 10 years of my life feeling like this and have other personal complications that resulted from the use of these toxic drugs."

• jus...
• April 25, 2012

For ADHD "This medication has completely changed my life. Without it, I feel like I am not complete. Twisted, I feel like I can accomplish anything. Without it, I sleep and have no motivation, suffer from depression, anxiety, no social skills. With it, my whole social outlook changed, I am no longer shy and not shying away from social encounters. It is definitely a miracle."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2017

For ADHD "I have been taking 2-10mg IR tablets each day for about a month. I have noticed a significant difference in how well I perform at school since I've been on Adderall. I have many honors and AP classes, which always have a big workload. Each day I had to struggle with my ADD and having to look over the material numerous times. I am now able to focus and have confidence in my classes. Usually, I am the last person taking a test, and now I am one of the first people done because I am finally able to focus. Negatives: as Adderall wears off, I feel antisocial, weak, agitated, and slightly depressed, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. ADD is hard to deal with, and finally being able to focus means so much to me."

• ska...
• July 20, 2018

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy after about 5 years-1995 to 2000. A sleep study doctor diagnosed me as having this disorder. After trying methylphenidate and then Provigil, I still had EDS. I even had a doctor prescribe Desoxyn, which didn't help. Adderall XR also was not effective enough, so I was prescribed 30 mg of Adderall I.R. once a day. Narcolepsy causes sleep deprivation, causing anxiety, depression, and nights of no sleep at all. Most doctors hesitate to prescribe medication for these side effects. I finally found that Belsomra helps on those sleepless nights. Adderall is not the 'magic bullet' by itself, and the stigma of having to take Adderall, Klonopin, Wellbutrin, and Belsomra gives narcoleptics anxiety and fear to ask physicians to prescribe medications that almost make us feel normal."

• ave...
• December 30, 2016

For ADHD "While Adderall definitely helped my ADD symptoms, the comedown was absolutely horrible. I was on 30 mg per day (20 mg IR in the morning, 10 mg IR 5 hrs later). It made me finally able to focus and stay organized for the 5 months I took it. However, as soon as it started wearing off, I turned into a real big jerk, and I even lost some friends because of it. I eventually discontinued it after having a mental breakdown and due to several of my closest friends and family approaching me about how I was acting. I ended up switching to Concerta and currently take 36 mg per day. I find that it works 10 times better than Adderall did for me. Long story short, Adderall, while definitely very effective at treating my symptoms, wasn't the right fit for me."

• Tob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2017

For ADHD "When I first started taking it, it helped me immensely with my ADHD. Pretty quickly, however, it stopped working. For one thing, it gives me crazy mood swings. It really amps me up at first, and I get super euphoric and happy for two hours, and then I feel awful and anxious and depressed. It actually potentiates my ADHD symptoms. It makes me extremely thirsty all the time, so I keep having to leave class to go use the bathroom or fill up my water bottle. Adderall makes it harder for me to appreciate the beauty of nature. I feel less in touch with my emotions when I take it. I understand that Adderall helps people a lot of the time, so it's worth a shot. But it didn't help me at all. In fact, it probably made things worse."

• Anonymous
• February 23, 2012

For ADHD "When I began taking Adderall in my early 20s, from dose one I could say I feel 'normal' for the first time in my life since I was a young boy. I was happy, and life had meaning and a reason. It allowed me to become productive, and I loved this new feeling of well-being in both mind and body. It came after a decade of severe depression, anxiety, and panic states, and a multitude of psych issues, and I was like a person on the outside but inside a disease of agonizing mental anguish, and physically I hurt from severe pain but had no physical evidence that I was like a 20-year-old young man who was only alive because I would not die. A tablet of Adderall changed my life, and it is my key to a life worth living."

• jan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 22, 2021

"Alvogen and Linette generic Adderall have destroyed my quality of life! I suffer from M.S., and Teva Adderall was the only thing that helped get me up out of bed and able to move around and put one foot in front of the other. With my ADHD and M.S., not only do I not have the will or energy to do it, but I can't decide which foot I should try to move first! I have been extremely depressed since I can no longer have the quality of life that Teva allowed me to have that managed my severe exhaustion. I need someone to help me and tell me where I can fill my prescriptions and get Teva Adderall so I can at least have some quality of life! PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP ME!"

• ski...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 25, 2018

For ADHD "I tried Adderall first at age 17 (15 mg a day). It helped a couple of hours after I took it, but about 3 hours later, I'd get extremely depressed and have depressing thoughts, then a couple of hours later, it'd just go away. This happened every time, and I went off it shortly after. At 19, I tried it again at 20 mg a day. Same good feelings for about 3 hours, and then a crash. However, this time, the bad feelings weren't as intense, and I didn't have depressing thoughts. I did experience more anxiety, though, and the depression was still bad enough for me to dread taking the meds. I'm trying Focalin now, but I've only taken it once, so I can't compare them yet."

• Sis...
• March 3, 2012

For ADHD "I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I was on regular Adderall. It made me feel great! I was able to focus better and accomplish a lot. I was switched to Adderall XR. It totally changed my life! After being on it about a month, I started noticing that I was becoming more and more depressed and easily agitated. I also noticed that I had no drive at all! I didn't want to do anything! It got so bad that I became suicidal! I was admitted into the hospital for a brief stay (which was a nightmare!) and learned from the psychiatrist that depression was indeed a side effect of the medicine. I immediately stopped taking it and am slowly getting back to normalcy. It's been about 3 weeks, and I feel like I'm almost completely back to normal."