[polarsmom]

I started taking Wellbutrin a little over a month ago. The doctor picked this particular medication because I have a difficult time with the ability to focus, restlessness, forgetfulness...... I have alot of ADD symptoms. But I have been battling depression for years. Taking medication to help with the depression. Anyway, since I started this medication I have been noticing the difference with my ability to focus. Clarity! Not only that but I don't feel as restless. I guess I kinda feel like the world around me has slowed down a bit.

My question is this: When you start taking medication for ADD what differences do you notice in yourself? Does it feel anything like what I've described?

I ask because I am wondering if I should look further into ADD being the root of my problems all these years.

[Pup]

i had bad reactions to ritalin and concerta
headaches, loss of appetite, chest pains, anxiety, (i have multiple anxiety disorders as it is) and nausea, most of all, i had very severe mood swings and aggression.

my focus was a bit better as was my restless symptoms but i still was quite adhd like.

i think medication should be combined with therapy and coping strategies to help you as you cant take a pill for the rest of your life, you cant depend on it, you need to help yourself too.

[polarsmom]

I guess what I was looking for was whether or not the medication I am taking is working similiar along the same lines as Adderall or Ritalin. If you have ADD and are taking a stimulate mediation if it seems to make your mind a little quieter, less chaotic so you can focus and actually get something done. The Wellbutrin seems to be having that effect on me. Things have calmed down in my head. Before I'd have 6 things going on, running around like an idiot and accomplishing nothing. So I'm really thinking that ADD has been a huge part of my struggling.

[anc1902]

My grandmother takes welbutrin. She used to take concerta and swears by welbutri now because it helps keep her add balanced without many side effects. You are definitely getting similar benefits to concerta or aderrall just on a more relaxed level

[Tessmesser]

This is an interesting question. Will Welbutrin help someone whose primary diagnosis is ADHD. My guess is maybe if you do not have the Hyperactive subtype the Wellbutrin would help but it does not feel the same as being on a stimulant.

Those of us that have Primarily Inattentive ADD have had the symptoms for years. Depression can make us forgetful and spacey but this is not really the same as the inattentiveness of ADHD or ADD.

I think that the stimulants will not help you if your primary problem is depression and the SSRIs (Wellbutrin, Paxil, Prozac) will not help your symptoms if your main problem is hyperactive ADHD.

The confusing part is that the SSRIs might help you if you have Primarily Inattentive Add as might a medicine called Strattera which is a Norepinephrin Reuptake inhibitor. We don't know as much about treating the inattentive type of ADD as we do about treating the hyperactive subtype. The stimulants make some inattentive ADHDers very anxious and in these patients treatment has to be a process of trial and error.

[client]

I started out on regular Ritalin and had trouble getting the three doses in each day. things kind of went up and down depending on whether I got all three doses in for the day. When I got three doses in I had much more concentration., ability to stay on task, less forgetful about things at work, more clear headed. I realy had alot of problems before ADHD medications. Then switched to Adderal. My relief of symptoms stabalilized and things are level for me now. My current psych has weaned me down to a lower dose. If I miss my dose on a weekend day, I'm so tired and I spend the whole day in bed. Now on 15mg in the morning. and doing well. You can always give meds a try to see if they help. If not, you can go off them.