Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 4/28/2010

Question
Hi Dr.
A few years ago my wife becam convinced I have adult A.D.D.
In fact I went to a screening program and the nurse said I did have a mild case.
I began taking the drug Welbutrin, and my wife says I am much better. I can notice it a bit myself.
Once I did go off it to see what I would be like, and I did become a bit more 'energetic' mentally and emotionaly, and my wife asked me to start back up on it again.
Lately however, though I am not depressed, I just seem to feel 'blah. Cant watch TV without flipping the channels, cant read a book, etc.I  wasnt like this a couple years ago, untol I was diagnosed with hypertension.
The doctor now has me on Avalide for high blood pressure, in addition to the Welbutrin..
Could this mental state be a side effect of the drug, or the two drugs together? Or is my A.D.D. getting worse?
Or could I have S.A.D?
Its been a long miserable winter here and this spring is cold and cloudy. The other day the sun came out and itwas warm-I sat in the yard and loved it!
Thanks for your thoughts!

Answer
Without examing you I cannot diagnose. However your description certainly suggests ADD/ADHD.  Next, Welbtrin is never a treatment for ADD/ADHD. Hypertension is never a reason not to treat ADD/ADHD but the BP must first be controlled.Some antihypertensive medication  may make depression worse. A nurse is hardly a diagnostician! Why not see a medical expert? You stopped the treatment ? Who prescribed it? Surely a consultation with a qualified doctor would be advisable to make decisions so important as  this? Untreated ADD/ADHD will often result in depression often worse in winter. (SAD)Only treating the depression is missing the actual cause of the depression in the first place and will not respond until the cause is also treated.  Get expert advice!