Concerta and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2020

For ADHD "I’ve been on Concerta for the past week and a half. On one hand, it works really well when it comes to productivity and organization, as it keeps me energized and focused, and also improves my driving skills! However, taking this medication has significantly worsened my mental health, causing me to experience paranoia, mood swings, anxiety, and even some suicidal thoughts. Although it does its job, I can’t keep taking it simply due to the effect it’s been having on my well-being. I’ll be scheduling an appointment with my doctor to change my prescription momentarily. However, just because Concerta hasn’t worked for me, that doesn’t mean it can’t/won’t work for you."

• 28a...
• March 7, 2010

For ADHD "I've used Concerta for 5 years and loved the improvements at first - I became successful, in perfect shape, and did most things extraordinarily well. My life did a complete 180. Once unfocused, unmotivated, and disorganized, I transformed to near perfection in everything I did. The price you pay for perfection - I've lost my friends and my social abilities. I used to be fun and full of life! You begin to seclude yourself because you are too focused, too mechanical. You lose weight because your appetite goes away and you are indeed anorexic. I couldn't sleep, had extreme anxiety, headaches, dry mouth, highs and lows....I can go on and on. It changes you and you may think it's great but ultimately you lose yourself in the process."

• ajj...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2014

For ADHD "I started Concerta when I was in 7th grade. I am now 14, and I started off with 36mg. Now I am on 54mg. At first, I had a big boost in my grades! I started getting A's! This year, I have been noticing in school that I have been more anxious, depressed, not hungry during the day, and a little bit socially awkward. I am trying to deal with my side effects. I am going to the doctor soon about Concerta. You are not alone."

• Max...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2015

For ADHD "Worked for me the first year I took it but then it started to have really bad side effects. I have ADD but I don't have hyperactivity and I was getting socially awkward and having anxiety and even depression. I don't recommend it for someone who's not hyperactive."

• Lin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 16, 2017

For ADHD "I'm 21 and I've been taking 72mg (two 36mg capsules) a day since I was about 17. Concerta changed my life. I was failing school, and no matter how hard I tried, it didn't change anything. I became depressed, slept for 14+ hours a day, and gave up. Then I was prescribed Concerta, and it changed my life. It keeps me focused, motivated, and energized. However, the side effects are very real. I don't sleep much, which is why I usually don't take it on weekends to catch up on sleep. It reduces my appetite, so I eat a big breakfast before taking it in the mornings. It does elevate my anxiety, and not saying it's something I suggest.. but I smoke cigarettes to help that. Also, I don't know if this is common or not, but it keeps my digestive tract regular."

• Moo...
• November 15, 2013

For ADHD "I'm a 15-year-old girl who started off with Vyvanse for a year but became anorexic. I switched to Concerta! The first couple of years, I felt so amazing because I have never experienced what it felt like to succeed after trying so much. Then I got to High School. My meds ended a relationship. I was always paranoid and extremely nervous. I am like a robot now. I'm either extremely emotionless, really mad, or really paranoid. My friends tell me that it's like talking to a stranger. I get frustrated so easily and don't care about anyone or anything around me. I don't want to be taken off my meds because I'm really successful. But should I really have to choose between my loved ones and school? I shouldn't have to pick."

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2017

For ADHD "I have been taking Strattera 60 mg for 6 months and am a male that weighs 185 lbs and is 6 ft 2 in. The ATX (Strattera) was not enough to help my severe unmotivation. I recently added Concerta (Alza 18 mg generic) to my medications, and it has helped dramatically. Like a pair of eyeglasses, I can now 'see' my life in a better light. It will not get your work done for you, nor will it solve all of your issues that you may have, but it will make life a lot easier to live. Instead of always worrying and being behind, I can get what is really important done and get to what is important another day. My mood has not been bad, my driving is less road rageish. I'm a lot less stressed out and anxious. I'm blessed to get help at age 22. I am doing well."

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2017

For ADHD "I have been taking Strattera 60 mg for 6 months and am a male that weighs 185 lbs and is 6 ft 2 in. The ATX (Strattera) was not enough to help my severe unmotivation. I recently added Concerta (Alza 18 mg generic) to my medications, and it has helped dramatically. Like a pair of eyeglasses, I can now 'see' my life in a better light. It will not get your work done for you, nor will it solve all of your issues that you may have, but it will make life a lot easier to live. Instead of always worrying and being behind, I can get what is really important done and get to what is important another day. My mood has not been bad, my driving is less road rageish. I'm a lot less stressed out and anxious. I'm blessed to get help at age 22. I am doing well."

• kri...
• August 21, 2018

For ADHD "A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD and was first given Vyvanse. It caused me to have awful anxiety and chest pains. This turned me off to stimulants for a while. Finally, I started seeing a new doctor, and he prescribed me Concerta XL for my long days at work, and it has definitely changed my life. At first, it was for my ADHD, but it also helps with my depression. It makes me feel awake but not jittery and anxious. I feel more social and talkative (I'm very shy, and people always make comments on how I don't talk that much). I don't have as many bad days like I was having before. I still get them, but they seem to be more mild and less often. There is a slight come-down period when it is wearing off, and you can get a little bummed during this time. It's not as bad with the long-acting Concerta like it is with regular methylphenidate. I highly recommend trying these medicines."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2016

For ADHD "I have been taking this for 10 years (started at 18 mg, went up to 36 mg). Recently (several months ago), I developed several horrible side effects. For example, it made me feel nervous. I could not keep still. It also made me extra irritable (to the point I was yelling at my friends for the littlest things). I also felt depressed (to the point I did not want to get out of bed at all) and could not sleep. The doctor brought me down to 18 mg, symptoms did not improve. I immediately stopped taking this and felt 100% better the next day. The doctor put me on Adderall XR, which works a lot better with very little side effects. Please avoid Concerta if possible."

• Abi...
• January 5, 2016

For ADHD "This is not the drug for everyone. I was absolutely miserable on Concerta. I was restless, anxious, needy, fidgety, irritable, and depressed. My psychiatric practitioner attempted to cure these symptoms by prescribing higher doses. I eventually had a meltdown. As soon as I stopped, it was like I was instantly better. I know this drug works wonders for some people, but please be careful."

• Cat...
• February 8, 2016

For ADHD "I've been taking Concerta for 3 years now, and I'm 18. I started out with 18 mg and slowly went up to 54 mg. My grades went from really low to average in weeks, but the side effects are really crappy. I have trouble sleeping at night, and I feel things that aren't there. I also have a big loss of appetite and have to force myself to eat sometimes. I have days where I get really depressed to the point that I don't want to get out of bed and do anything. I also feel really anxious and on edge, and I start scratching/picking at my skin, which gave me scars all over my back. I thought about it and went off the pill, and my grades suddenly dropped again. The pill really does help with focus and motivation, but the side effects are really tough!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2022

For ADHD "Concerta may work for some people, but it actually screws up. (I’m a minor and can’t make myself talk to my parents - partially because of the drug). Although it has proven to “work” for me, this stupid drug makes me feel like a walking corpse. I feel usually numb throughout the day and have an emotional crash at home. I can never think of anything to say, I trail off in the middle of answering things. I have no appetite to the point at which the thought of food makes me feel nauseous. I randomly get extremely nervous, my insomnia has gotten worse, I have really shaky muscles, I have tics, I have increased symptoms of severe depression and social anxiety. When it wears off, I feel awful and mean, and if I skip a single day, then I feel really sick. I don’t recommend this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2022

For ADHD "Concerta may work for some people, but it actually screws up. (I’m a minor and can’t make myself talk to my parents - partially because of the drug). Although it has proven to “work” for me, this stupid drug makes me feel like a walking corpse. I feel usually numb throughout the day and have an emotional crash at home. I can never think of anything to say, I trail off in the middle of answering things. I have no appetite to the point at which the thought of food makes me feel nauseous. I randomly get extremely nervous, my insomnia has gotten worse, I have really shaky muscles, I have tics, I have increased symptoms of severe depression and social anxiety. When it wears off, I feel awful and mean, and if I skip a single day, then I feel really sick. I don’t recommend this drug."

• Bee...
• September 11, 2019

For ADHD "I was put on 36 mg Concerta in my 20s, and it helped drastically. I was able to finally concentrate and read without having to reread things because I was distracted every 0.5 seconds. I lost my appetite and would get insomnia at times. I went from a size 16 to 8 within a year, which honestly helped my health, and I was able to start going to the gym for the first time. I got off it when I moved overseas for 8 years, and now I’m back on it. The first couple of weeks are a bit rough, it gives me anxiety and restlessness, it’s an instant laxative, and makes you pretty antisocial. But remember, your body adjusts, and you start feeling more normal and less anxiety. However, if I take 36 mg and have any other stimulant like caffeine, I literally feel like I’m having a heart attack and anxiety attack at the same time. Be careful with mixing stimulants with this med if you have anxiety. Otherwise, it’s amazing and works miracles. Also, when I got off the 36 mg, my weight went up so fast."

• Sto...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2020

For ADHD "I was diagnosed a year ago after numerous diagnoses with ADHD. I was put on Concerta 54, and I'm a different person. I'm happy, calm, still a bit anxious, but I'm better every day. Fantastic medication."

• San...
• June 24, 2018

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD/ADD at the age of 21 while at university, as well as mildly chronic fatigue, and was prescribed Concerta; first 18 mg (which wore off too fast) and now 36 mg. When I first started taking it, it felt like a miracle drug - for the first time in my life, I felt awake, driven, and organized. Over time, it has become less effective - it's definitely tolerance building - but it's still way better than going without. I get chest pains and headaches sometimes, I have started getting mild anxiety (which I never had before), and I feel the cold a lot more than I used to. All of this would be completely fine were it not for the main side effect of Concerta: weight loss. After around 18 months of taking it daily, my weight has gone from 130 lbs to 104 lbs - regardless of how much I eat."

• Mel...
• March 29, 2015

For ADHD "I really like Concerta. I was on Adderall before but had really bad anxiety and sleep side effects and even more side effects, so my doctor gave me a Concerta prescription and I took it and felt so energized and focused. I love Concerta so much, the only complaint would be it lowers my appetite and gives me a bad mood sometimes, but I use Prozac to balance that out, and this medicine is amazing. I tested it on video games and kept winning because of how focused I was. This medicine is great for ADHD, I highly recommend it."

• CGa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 25, 2019

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD when I was in 4th grade. As a child, I did not take any medication as I experienced bad side effects. When I turned 16, I started taking the medication in order to help with my schoolwork. Now I’m 22 years old and studying engineering. The medication is really helpful in my academic life, however, it increased my depression and anxiety. Over the years I’ve been taking it, the medication decreased in its effectiveness, and I had to continually up the dosage. I’m only saying this because for anyone who needs to use it, they need to be aware and check themselves and their mental state. If you continuously ensure that it doesn’t negatively affect your mental state and your personal relationships, then it is a very helpful and lifesaving drug. Just be careful and aware."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2017

For ADHD "I am a 20 y/o girl. I was on 54 mg of Concerta once a day. This drug was the worst thing that's ever happened to me. It did help my grades, but I felt most of it was placebo, and the fact that the side effects were so horrible, I wanted to focus on work to distract myself. It made my anxiety unbearable and constant. My heart beat in my head. My whole left arm and pinky would feel numb and prickly. I knew I was hungry but could not eat and was disgusted by food. I fell into a horrible depression and felt just overwhelming darkness. The pros were that it made sitting in long classes and retaining information much easier. I felt excited about learning and getting work done. Overall, it helped with school, but the side effects are not worth it."

• fru...
• November 6, 2009

For ADHD "Started Concerta 5 weeks ago. Started with a 'pediatric' dose (I'm almost 40) and worked up to 54 mg. LOVE that I can finally focus and finish tasks, work is getting completed, my lists are getting checked off, and I'm making it to appointments on time. THEN...2 weeks ago, slight insomnia started to get worse, and minor anxiety...thought it was various life issues I was dealing with. Tonight...I'm dealing with severe insomnia and anxiety so bad I can barely sit and research my problem. I have a check-up with my doctor in 2 weeks, I'm calling tomorrow to get in sooner. I'm very upset as it solved my ADD problems and thought I started a new life...I do not want to start the trial and error roller coaster all over."

• Veg...
• May 11, 2014

For ADHD "I am 34 years old. I started with 27 mg. Over several weeks, I worked up to 36 mg in the morning, then 10 mg in mid-afternoon. My husband has seen an improvement in my mood. I feel less angry and better able to cope with daily life. I stay awake during the day now (I was very fatigued pre-Concerta and sleeping a lot). I am sleeping the best I ever have at night. My mind doesn't race as much as it used to. I still experience anxiety, but it hasn't increased since Concerta. I get more headaches, and I seem to continuously suck and rub my tongue on the inside of my mouth. It annoys me and causes tongue ulcers, but I guess it is a small price to pay."

• eee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 7, 2014

For ADHD "Intensified anxiety, and taken with Abilify, I did not know if I was hungry for a long time. My weight went up and down, and I stayed on the same dose for 9 years. It made no sense. In hindsight, the Abilify was merely treating symptoms caused by side effects of Concerta. I would encourage everyone who has been ignored when they asked mental health professionals for help to also encourage careful review and make informed decisions about medications. Educate yourself!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2012

For ADHD "I am a college student, and I have to say this is by far the best ADHD medication I have taken. I was taking Adderall XR prior and was having major anxiety attacks/mood swings and just never really adjusted to it, so my doctor switched me to Concerta. It has helped me tremendously. I am finding it so much easier to focus and complete tasks. I have gone from C's to the dean's list over the last year. I feel no side effects. I take the extended release medication early in the morning, so it lasts all day but does not interfere with my sleep patterns. I would recommend this medication, it has worked wonders for me!"

• Jul...
• March 9, 2015

For ADHD "This medication is amazing! Be patient and try it! All ADHD medications (like any other medication for anything) have side effects, but I have learned Concerta's do go away once you let your body do the talking: push through the 1-6 days of anxiety/depression/hyperactivity, etc., and be open to what it can do for you once your body gets used to it. I am 21 years old, and I am on 54 mg, and I take a side effect medication called INTUNIV XR (2 mg) that cured the anxiety side effect, which I found to come about halfway through the day and when the Concerta was wearing off. This side effect comes about because Concerta is not a gradual release, but 2 releases of the medicine - it drops off and may cause anxiety for a short time during the day."