[Psychotic_Phil]

My friend Tyler is my best friend who has struggled with supposed ADHD for quite some time. He was taking Adderall (spelling?) for years and has been off of it for quite some time. I don't live with him but have noticed that he has done better off of it because on it he was very hyperactive and bizarre most of the day, prone to bizarre ideas and behavior. He is, by most accounts very much a loner and has few real friends and is kind of antisocial. The last time I saw him he had bizarre ideas about the cat I gave him and the dog, trying to make them friends and getting upset when his plans did not come into fruition.

The most concerning aspect of all was something that happened this week when we were talking through Yahoo Messenger he suddenly changed and started to talk about the devil and how he had told him to kill me, then started acting in a manner that reminded me of psychosis. He is usually occupied with his own personal fantasies and can easily think of fantastic things. He often jokes and smiles when inappropriate and gets irritated easily when someone does something he doesn't like. He's often bored and has sleep issues and can be blunt in affect or joking excessively. He then awakened from this and had no real recollection of it. I don't know what happened since then but he told me after he snapped out of it that he had some sort of a breakdown. I do not know if he was hearing voices or not.

Is this what happens in ADHD? Do medications not work, cause the afflicted to get worse and in turn the afflicted has a bizarre episode of unreality? He is seeking help from a psychiatrist and I would recommend he come here, yet if he did he would discover things about me I don't want him to, like all that I've struggled with and the notions I've toyed with. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on? I'm not one for labels as you can no doubt tell from my most recent posts but this doesn't seem like ADHD. This seems like something darker and more sinister. Maybe I'm wrong and that's why I came here. I might even contact my doctor just to get a sense from him.

That's all for now...

[InsaneMax]

<font color="green">Hi there Psychotic_Phil!!! Since I'm insane and your psychotic, we should get together sometime

The delusional behavior is not from ADHD. I have to wonder how long it has been since he has been diagnosed? He could benefit from a second opinion, especially if he was diagnosed as a child and is now an adult. ADHD is "The Great Imitator." One of the more common diagnosis it gets mixed up with is Bipolar Disorders. Not only is there a lot of overlap with certain Bipolar Disorder behaviors, but it is also co-morbid a lot with ADHD as well. Often it can be hard to tell, especially if he was diagnosed as a child. Anecdotal--I have a friend who was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, then as an adult, diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, which he was treated for. That was an absolute disaster. Giving Lithium to someone who doesn't need it has really bad outcomes. He then saw someone else, who diagnosed him with ADHD again, which he was treated for with a stimulant, and is doing quite well now. But... this happens a lot. Bipolar Disorder folks can get manic delusions, and in their depressive phase, they can get psychotic depression. That's only one possibility. But, that's a tough one about having your friend come here. I actually don't think it would be helpful for him, and it would probably hurt your friendship. The last thing someone delusional needs is to get all kinds of advice from strangers on a message board. Do you see a psychologist Phil? Maybe you can guide him toward yours? If you are honest, respectful, and GENTLE with him, he might just listen. Oh yeah.. he also could be abusing his stimulants or be prescribed too high a dose, which can make you delusional. I have more detailed info. that I won't bore you with here, but you can always private message me too.</font>

[Psychotic_Phil]

My friend actually is only thirteen and if off his Adderall. (I am fourteen by the way) He is better off of it that I have noticed but continues to be very childish and bizarre. His delusions are new but his rampant fantasies are not. I do not think I could recommend my psychiatrist to him as I believe you must be within the network of Children's Hospital to see my doctor. I don't know his current state and cannot say whether or not he needs to be in Children's. He sounded very distant on the phone and seemed aware that he was not well.

[gardenergirl]

Is it possible that your friend is taking some other kind of stimulant, perhaps in excessive doses? That could lead to delusions, though the rest of what you describe sounds more like some other disorder. It doesn't sound as much like ADHD to me. Are his parents supportive? Perhaps they can get him in for a thorough assessment to pin down a diagnosis and treatment plan.

He's lucky to have a caring friend like you.

gg