Methylphenidate and Irritability: What Users Say

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2020

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I am in my early thirties and very recently started drug trials for ADHD. After trying Vyvanse, which didn't work out, I moved to Concerta. On the lowest dose, I had concerns, as it seemed to make my ADHD symptoms worse. I became more irritable and more distracted. After a week, I moved the dose up to the next level and had a terrible day. Extremely irritable, so lethargic I could do almost nothing all day, difficult time sleeping... I had difficulty dealing with my children if they did the slightest thing wrong. Concerta is not for me, I will try something else."

• Eve...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Jornay PM is outstanding for me and my DD. Nothing has worked like this for me, and I’m 38 and have been treated for ADHD since 12. I didn't like taking meds. I’d throw them away after my parents gave them to me, but by college, I needed it and took Adderall as needed. It worked, but I went to Vyvanse 10 years ago. Vyvanse worked, but took forever to get going, and I became moody and irritable later in the day and felt terrible. It was very hit or miss… depended on how much I was able to eat. I don’t know about most ADHD adults, but when I have a bad mood day, I feel like a failure. My psychiatrist had me try this a year ago, and I first was on 60 mg of J. I was on 40 of V and was freaked I’d have issues. I took J that night and woke up the next morning with a clear head, and I was ready before I had to get my kids up! All has been great, but I had a job change, and my days are longer. My doc gave me 80 last month, and J works longer now!"

• Moo...
• November 15, 2013

Methylphenidate 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."

• nr6...
• September 7, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "So I was diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD about a month or two ago. I'm 19 and in my second year of university. I struggle to take in information in distracting settings like big lecture halls, have a tough time focusing, and my organizational skills have always been poor. So, my doctor prescribed 18 mg Concerta. I've taken it for a week so far, and I'm loving the results. I'm now always listening in lectures, always focusing on what the professor is saying. My room, car, and desk are now more organized than they have ever been, and it's stayed that way so far! Many people complain about a lack of appetite, but I haven't noticed that at all! I've noticed two minor side effects so far: headaches that start later in the day, as well as some minor irritability."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 17, 2019

For Fatigue "I tried methylphenidate for chronic fatigue syndrome-basically, feeling extremely tired almost all the time, lacking alertness and energy. I've taken it off and on for 2 years. Initially, for about 6 months, it worked very well. I felt a lot of energy, physically, socially, and mentally, the only side effect being that I could get too hyped, feeling an artificial, driven type of energy. After 6 months or so, it became less effective, often leaving me feeling agitated and not able to focus very well. Unfortunately, after stopping it, I reverted to feeling exhausted. After a few days of exhaustion, though, I can't stand it and resume taking it, with a similar pattern, i.e., it works well for a few days and then leaves me agitated. I'm planning to go to a clinic that specializes in CFS and may also try a physician that also specializes in CFS."

• 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."

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

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I took my first dose around 8 a.m. on May 8th, 2023, and I’m calling my doctor in the morning. I absolutely hate this feeling. For hours, I have just been angry, irritated, and I have a headache that will not go away. I have not been able to get any tasks done. I feel like all I can focus on is the fact that I feel irritable. Also, my stomach has been in knots since taking it. I’m praying it just wears off soon so I feel semi-normal again."

• 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."

• FIR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Went on Ritalin for the first time today, and I hated it. Took 5 mg at 8:30 a.m. and then another 5 mg at 12:30 p.m. Within an hour of taking both times, I was falling asleep at my desk and had to follow up with a coffee to stay awake. I didn’t feel as though it made me any more alert or focused. The second pill I took after an hour and a half, I felt hot and my heart rate increased. I did notice it suppressed my appetite for 3 hours. In the afternoon, I suffered severe irritability, to the point where I was yelling at colleagues, then suffered what I believe was a panic attack. Felt not in control, was crying uncontrollably. I forced myself to work out so I could work the Ritalin out of my system. Horrible :("

• 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."

• Dee...
• November 25, 2015

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I've been on and off this medication for a few years now. I have mixed feelings toward it. The first 30 minutes to an hour of taking it, I feel a rush and a feeling of I can do anything. That rush motivates me to go to the gym, actually. After the rush is gone, I feel more focused and alert. After the alertness has worn off, I feel moody and irritable. I'm very aware it's the medication making me on edge and try to control it. I get a bit headachy sometimes, and it bothers my stomach from time to time. Always hungry? Not on this medication. Appetite gone, at least for a while until the next pill. Make sure to eat! I would say this medication is addictive and would not recommend it to anyone that has an addiction problem."

• Isa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "When I took Concerta briefly, I was 16 years old. This happened to be during the shutdown pandemic, so online school was our classroom. My doctor prescribed Concerta to me for my ADHD in hopes that my grades would rise and I would focus with the distractions that came with online school. I took Concerta from September 2020 to October 2020. This was quite possibly the worst I had felt in my life, and Concerta was to blame. I am a very happy person, always willing to help others, and I’m very much an extrovert. Being on Concerta stopped my happy personality, and even my family noticed such a heavy difference. I would find myself easily irritated at the smallest things and get very upset over them. I also had no control over my emotions (I would cry out of nowhere). My appetite was probably the worst side effect. I would take the medication at 7 a.m. (before school) and not feel the need to eat anything for hours, meaning that I would go every day without breakfast, lunch, or dinner."

• Iso...
• July 28, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I was prescribed Concerta 54 mg for two weeks, and after two weeks, my dosage was lowered to 36 mg. The positive effects: First of all, it was absolutely effective at keeping me focused, engaged, and gave me the motivation to continue working away at my given tasks. It also accelerated my perception of time. The (manageable) negatives: It made me so focused on tasks that I was antisocial. Fixating on annoying sounds, anxiety, sweaty palms, no appetite, and weight loss (25 lbs). I found I was lacking emotion, and during the long comedown, I was irritable and rarely experienced mild to moderate depression. Concerta is an effective ADHD drug, but the emotional effects can be annoying at times. It is worth consulting your doctor about!"

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2013

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Have to say wow! It helps low energy, depression, and works well with most SSRIs and some low-dose SNRIs. Life feels exciting again, and it offsets SSRI sexual side effects. Works fast and well. The main problem is that it wears off in a few hours, so you need to dose multiple times a day. It causes you to sweat a little more and be a little more irritable than usual, but it is really a great med to help depression. It is much different and better than Wellbutrin for sure, even though both are NDRIs. Check out the research on stimulants for depression and bipolar depression. Going to try Provigil now for a more even energy/mood boost. But I may be back to this."

• Jef...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2017

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, which I didn't think I had until I started college. Things then became more clear! I started off on Adderall, which I hated because it made me irritable, jittery, and I found it totally unhelpful. Weary of the stimulants, I switched to Wellbutrin, which helped, but only a little. I decided to give Concerta a shot, as my psychiatrist told me it's like a more specialized version of Ritalin, and I've been amazed by the results! It lasts me most of the day, and I can finally focus on work and conversations! My quality of life is so much better now that I'm on Concerta. I take the 27 mg XL dose."

• Liv...
• January 20, 2012

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I am 15 years old and was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 6. I feel Concerta is like a mental steroid. I focus 50% more and understand the things I'm taught better. Honestly, I really do not like Concerta. I have muscle twitches, nervousness, agitation, a complete loss of appetite (which gets to the point where I almost pass out due to suppressed hunger pains), tiredness, mellowness, confusion, mood swings quite frequently, irritation of the eyes, which is one of the things I absolutely hate, and more. I am not autistic, but sometimes I feel like I am during school. My social life is completely impaired. When I take Concerta, I am a very dull person. I am constantly paranoid, always worried about what others think of me."

• Ari...
• November 29, 2010

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I've been taking stimulants for ADD almost all of my life. Except for high school-man, did I fall apart then. Parents, never take your children off these medicines if they're on them for a reason and doing well. I'd continue the route. This medicine is alright, but I do not like the 'come down' of it at all. Makes me very irritable and angry, then extremely depressed. It does give me a burst of energy, which gets me motivated to start doing things and whatnot-which I like, but just the come down is brutal. I don't like methylphenidate. I want to try Adderall, as I heard it is less intense. Anyway, make sure you drink a lot of water on this medication and try to eat something."

• 83n...
• February 28, 2013

Methylphenidate for ADHD "First couple of days, it was working well, then I started noticing mood swings, insomnia, anxiety, anger, agitation. On top of that, lack of energy and a sore throat. It's okay, but not worth all these side effects."

• ap0...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I'm 17 and have been taking 18 mg Concerta every day for a week and a half. This is the second medication I've tried after being diagnosed with ADHD (I was also diagnosed with major depression). First, I tried Adderall, and while it made me feel very alert and productive, I could not handle the severe depressed feelings from the comedown. So far, Concerta has made me feel productive and positive for about 3 hours, and then depression slowly creeps in and gets progressively worse for about 8 more hours. It's not as intense as the depression from Adderall (which even led to suicidal thoughts), but it lasts longer. I also become irritable, anxious, and tired. I've also lost weight because trying to eat makes me feel queasy."

• The...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2018

For Depression "Was given this and then Concerta, the extended release of this. It worked great after all other meds failed at getting me out of bed and feeling alive again, but there are some side effects. I had to take some Xanax to combat jitteriness/anxiety, and then I had to deal with some irritability. Besides that, it's been the best working. It makes my son less hyper because he has ADHD, but for me, it gives energy. Very strange how everyone's body is different. I recommend at least trying this if all other meds fail."

• Sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2022

Methylphenidate for ADHD "Just got diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin (10 mg 3 times a day, starting with 1 and increasing it every few days). It’s my 6th day taking it, and it feels like it’s doing the complete opposite of what it should be doing. It’s worsened my anxiety and depression, I feel robotic and numb, my moods fluctuate more than usual, I can’t focus, I feel tired and lethargic, irritable, nauseous, dizzy, racing heart, and none of my usual coping mechanisms that I had before I started meds are helping at all. It’s helped so little and made me feel so much worse. I've started dreading having to take them. I called my doctor today and am waiting for him to call back so I can speak to him about it."

• ave...
• February 13, 2018

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I have both ADHD and mild/moderate narcolepsy. I have been on Concerta for 9 months. I had not taken any medication till I was a teenager (my parents were very against it), so I took Wellbutrin for a while to help with depression and my ADHD and narcolepsy, however, it was not strong enough, so I switched to Concerta and am taking 36 MG. It changed my life. For years, I could not go a day without taking a nap and could not focus at all in class. I just started college a few months ago and got a 4.0 my first semester, which seemed impossible for me years ago. I can finally focus and stay awake, I cried a lot at first because I was so not used to this!! The only negative parts are insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. I recommend having the same bedtime every night and having something like melatonin on hand to combat this. Also, take your Concerta at least 12 hours before you plan on going to bed. These side effects aren't horrible, though the good by far outweighs the bad!"

• Kia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2019

Methylphenidate for ADHD "The first day I took it, I didn’t notice a difference, but once I started taking it and going to work, I noticed a huge difference. I was actually working! I wasn’t getting yelled at for sitting around doing nothing, and I was actually finishing my jobs. It worked for a bit, but we frequently have to up the dose for it to continue working, and when I try to go without it, I’m irritable, but so far, the only times I’ve ever been able to have a real conversation with someone is while taking this medication."

• Bes...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "My 8-year-old son has ADHD with an anxiety disorder. We started on Ritalin IR when he was 7, and it was great at first, but his body started metabolizing them quickly. We increased the dose, and then he just became more irritable. We tried Adderall next, which was awful for him. His doctor wanted to either try Concerta or Daytrana. I asked if we could try Daytrana because I had read good reviews. This is the absolute best med we have tried. He has been on the lowest 10 mg patch for over a year. We put him on a prescription called Vayarin over the summer, which is a natural omega-3 phosphatidylserine supplement that fixed the anxiety. He has no issues and is like the other kids now. Thankful for both meds that helped him!"

• Jen...
• April 1, 2016

Methylphenidate for ADHD "I've been on this medication since I was 9, I'm 21 now. I've always had trouble in school, and it has helped me a lot to concentrate, but without it, I can't focus at all. I became too dependent on it, so now that I am in college, I cannot study or find any kind of motivation to stay focused if I'm not on it. It wouldn't be a bad thing if it didn't make me depressed. Recently, in this past year, I've been taking it almost every day again and have been feeling sad for no reason, always thinking negatively and very irritable until I put two and two together. Now trying to get off once I am done with school next month for good."