Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 2/15/2004

Question
I"m 21 and I've been on one form of ADD med. for about 8 years now.  I've taken aderall most of the time.  I decided recently to stop taking it,  I know i still need it but i don't care, it alters my mood to much and i just don't want to be druged anymore.  I went off of it about a month ago and have been extremely depressed since.  I always found in the past that the medication made me depressed and the days i was not on it i was overly happy.  So why am I so depresed now, is this a normal side effect?  

Answer
As I have not personally examined you ,I can only pass comment from afar. Firstly it is not wise for a patient with no medical training to stop their medication. However I realise you were unhappy with the medication. The medication you were taking could not cause depression, but inadequate treatment of ADHD will often result in depression being added to the symptoms of ADHD.If the stimulant you were taking was working well you would not be depressed. Occassionally a patient on a stimulant might also need an antidepressant as well. On a correct dose that is working, no patient feel drugged and does not have negative thoughts about the treatment. May I suggest you speak to your doctor or get another opinion about reviewing you  medical needs .