Methylphenidate and Depression: What Users Say

• Jad...
• June 28, 2019

Methylphenidate for ADHD "First off, it was horrible for me. I will never go back to Ritalin ever again. I was on 10mg of Ritalin and it lasted around 2 hours. It was the weirdest experience. I felt simultaneously euphoric, jittery and stimulated, but also lazy and just wanted to sleep (???). It did give me a strong boost of energy which lasted throughout the day. After 2 hours was when things got really bad. I guess this is the 'crash'. It made me horribly depressed, anxious, and filled with rage. The anxiety was so bad that every single thing I set eyes on would trigger me, like looking at the laundry basket filled with laundry. I also felt extremely anti-social and didn't want to talk to anyone, not even my husband. Finally towards the end of the night I would return to my normal self again, but you can imagine the emotional roller-coaster I experienced the entire day. I tried to brush it off and chalked it down to stress. But looking back now, I am 100% certain that it was all due to the Ritalin."

• ele...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2019

Methylphenidate for ADHD "22, Male, ADD, Anxiety disorder. Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is amazing. However, there's a catch: it enhances focus but does not direct your focus towards a subject that you're not interested in. I experience extreme euphoria, confidence, and optimism for about 1 hour (it builds up gradually, peaking at the 2-hour mark with 10mg). If you use this daily, tolerance builds up quickly after every 2 weeks (for me). When I stop taking it, I feel depressed for days but it will wear off as 'naturally occurring chemicals' reach equilibrium again. I suggest cycling it according to your productive days: 3-4 days a week and the rest off (avoiding tolerance and dependence). It enhances your current focus, so start working/studying for 15-30 minutes THEN take it. I've researched the most irrelevant topics which excite me the most for hours, only to find that within 30 minutes the Ritalin's effects are going to wear off."

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

Methylphenidate 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."

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 13, 2023

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I had ADHD for many years. It already saved my life. Clarity, concentration, memory, work, focus, I stopped drinking, began to work, be stable, organized, serious, focused, had good work, and could pay my bills. A month ago, a doctor I didn't know removed my lifesaver, saying I didn't have ADHD and never had... which is false, multiple doctors in the past have confirmed I have ADHD. This random doctor ruined my life. I'm not functional, have apathy, anhedonia, memory loss, depression, can't drive, can't concentrate, can't focus, trouble paying things, narcolepsy, feel depressed, can't work, can't find initiative. I look forward to finding my Ritalin back. Depression sucks. Just need it to live. It was my lifesaver. Good luck."

• mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 13, 2023

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I had ADHD for many years. It already saved my life. Clarity, concentration, memory, work, focus, I stopped drinking, began to work, be stable, organized, serious, focused, had good work, and could pay my bills. A month ago, a doctor I didn't know removed my lifesaver, saying I didn't have ADHD and never had... which is false, multiple doctors in the past have confirmed I have ADHD. This random doctor ruined my life. I'm not functional, have apathy, anhedonia, memory loss, depression, can't drive, can't concentrate, can't focus, trouble paying things, narcolepsy, feel depressed, can't work, can't find initiative. I look forward to finding my Ritalin back. Depression sucks. Just need it to live. It was my lifesaver. Good luck."

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

Methylphenidate 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."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2019

For Depression "I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 30s, as well as potential narcolepsy. I was prescribed methylphenidate extended release, and it has helped me with more than ADHD. I have had anxiety and depression since my early teens. When I take methylphenidate, I feel very calm. It has helped decrease anxiety and stress. I don’t feel overwhelmed and depressed. This is in addition to it helping my ADHD. Absolutely no crash on the extended release. I don’t even know I’m on it, other than I’m more relaxed. I would definitely recommend someone trying this medication for anxiety and depression. It has changed my life."

• Abb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2014

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD in 8th grade and put on 20mg of Concerta, which has since risen to 54mg extended release in the day and 10mg immediate release in the evening for when I do my homework. At first, the medicine was great - it allowed me to focus and my grades went up significantly. However, over the past year or so, I have been experiencing negative side effects such as depression, headaches, and loss of appetite. I can manage the headaches and appetite problems, but as for the depression, it is so bad that I am considering switching to another brand or changing my dose because when I am on Concerta, I become virtually emotionless, and as a result, I am struggling to maintain good relationships with my friends and family members."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2010

Methylphenidate for Narcolepsy "I have taken this medication for over 5 years to help me stay awake due to a narcolepsy diagnosis. The drug is very effective, and I have not become addicted in any way, although I have developed a tolerance to the medication and have had to increase my dosage to now the highest amount available. I will most likely have to change to another medication. The side effects have also increased, including mood swings and feelings of depression when the drug wears off, and now I am convinced that it is time to switch medications. Even with these increased side effects, without this drug, I wouldn't have been able to function as a normal human being, and now I am nervous that I won't be able to find another medication that was this effective."

• Ano...
• November 12, 2013

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I would recommend this medication ONLY if you are 100% positive you need medication, by that I mean teachers and family recognizing the issue. My mom finally decided to give me Concerta during early middle school after my teachers advised it for a few years. I recommend beginning with 9 mg and slowly going up if needed. This medication is horrible in my life in the sense that I feel like I need it to do good in school, especially now I'm in college. But it causes me to be incredibly depressed. I continue to take it because grades are first, but for kids I recommend keeping a very close eye on them and follow up on depression issues because as a kid in middle school, it was horrible."

• Tyj...
• January 27, 2014

Methylphenidate for ADHD "It makes me depressed. Yes, it helps me focus, and it helps me with my school work, but when I am on Concerta, I am 100% emotionless and it is the worst feeling I have ever experienced. Constant depression until it wears off later in the night time."

• rji...
• January 12, 2009

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I am 26 years old and have been using Concerta for approximately 9 months. I have been extremely impressed with my new ability to focus and attention to detail. I have always been a daydreamer, and that paid off in creativity. However, daydreaming during a meeting with the president of the company you work for doesn't pay off. My wife, out of angst, suggested that I might have ADHD and should consider getting tested. After a 5-hour psychological evaluation, it was decidedly so. Since I have started Concerta, I have been promoted to the top position in my office. It controls my anxiety and keeps me calm and focused. The only side effects that I have noticed are weight loss (lost 30 lbs) due to loss of appetite and a lack of emotion."

• Anonymous
• January 7, 2016

Methylphenidate 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

Methylphenidate 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

Methylphenidate 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

Methylphenidate 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."

• wow...
• March 6, 2009

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I'm 17 and have been taking this for about a month now for ADHD. I started at small doses of Ritalin (10 mg) and then moved to 20 mg. My doctor thought it would be easier to just put me on Concerta since it's 18 mg a pill. I then took 36 mg of Concerta, which didn't work out. I got major irritability and started feeling depressed. Even my focus was off. I went back down to 18 mg and it's working much better. No irritability, depression feeling. Make sure you're on the right dose for your body. Too much can do more harm and too little may not do anything."

• Yes...
• February 7, 2012

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Some of these experiences are quite alarming! I never experienced the really harsh side effects such as depression, suicidal thoughts, and any other bad side effects. I've been taking Concerta ever since I was 8. I was taken off of Concerta when I was 21, and I actually went downhill after that. I lost a lot of my friends, and I can't control my thoughts, daydreams, and mood swings, and my performance at my job declined rapidly to the point where I almost lost it. I am 23 now and just got back on Concerta and am super happy with how it has organized my mind!"

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

Methylphenidate 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

Methylphenidate 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."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2020

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I'm a 20-year-old woman, 179 cm and 61 kg, who just got diagnosed with ADD for the first time in my life, after living with it untreated for so many years. So, my doctor wanted to prescribe me Ritalin, though in small doses, so I didn't just go all in from the start. I started with 10 mg, which didn't have an effect. Then I took 20 mg, I felt a little more energized, but nothing else. Then I tried 30 mg today. I felt extremely fresh in my mind, instead of the weird slump I'm usually in. Very happy, which suggests that what I lacked before was dopamine. Still no difference with anything else, like my poor concentration and focus, but on the other side, there are no side effects as of late. Other than the things that I've already struggled with, like depression and anxiety. Not a bad experience thus far, but I'm still a little bit nervous about how 40 mg and 50 mg will affect me."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2018

For Depression "I'm a 60-year-old female. Had depression and debilitating anxiety for 20 years. I've been on and off Zoloft all those years. Zoloft helps my depression. When I was off it, I was miserable and couldn't get out of bed. I'm on it now and staying on it. For anxiety, I've tried Ativan, it works well, but because of the horrors of addiction and coming off them, I only take them when things are out of my control, e.g., sudden death in the family or I think I may end up in the ED again because of anxiety. I've had Endep, it didn't work. Parnate, anxiety was through the roof, my mind was a mess, and bad headaches. I tried Pristiq. No sleep at all, constipation, headaches, and was so tired I wanted to cry. It didn't help my anxiety at all. My psychiatrist gave me a script for Concerta (slow release) 18 mg. One a day, early morning. I took it this morning, expecting all sorts of side effects. It's 2 PM, and I've had the best day in over 5 months. So far, so good!"

• Kev...
• June 18, 2009

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Well, my experience with Ritalin really changed my life, and I really mean really. This medication has a lot of pros as well as cons. Without Ritalin, I could not do anything in school, I was literally paralyzed. Everyone did better than me, but I tried the hardest, and I just couldn't do it, there was no way. So, when I got Ritalin, it made a huge impact on my life, I mean huge. This substance really changed me, the way I acted, the way I thought. It was amazing, I fell in love with it. I took the proper amount every time: 40 MG - 60 MG. Now, I have been taking Ritalin for 7 years. The only cons are it makes you very still after a while, and depression, but I can deal with it."

• Jul...
• March 9, 2015

Methylphenidate 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."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2013

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Okay, I wanted to comment on this in case people are looking to put their kids on it. I am 18 years old, diagnosed with ADD in 4th grade. I didn't take my meds until 10th grade when I wasn't going to make it through high school. The first meds they put me on were 36 mg Concerta. Yes, it worked and made me focus, BUT! I have never been more ANGRY AND MAD AND DEPRESSED in my life, it was absolutely horrible. I am now on Vyvanse 50 mg and graduated high school and got a 4.0 GPA in my first semester of college."