Stimulant vs non-stimulant ADHD drugs?

I'm a 31-year old female who experiences anxiety, panic attacks and is certain beyond a shadow of a doubt (consulted with my primary care physician, read books, my sister is officially diagnosed as of two months ago, my line of work involves familiarity with psychology/mental health conditions) that I have ADHD. Anyway, my sister takes Adderall. She has ADD, w/o the H. It is somewhat effective for her, but she complains that she never wants to eat while on it. I was wondering, for someone like me, who has the conditions I have, would a stimulant vs non-stimulant ADHD drug be better and why? Upon initial thought, I am afraid of taking stimulant drugs and feeling "speedy" (rapid and pounding heartbeats, trouble breathing, tweaky feelings) on them, b/c those are some of the feelings I get when I'm experiencing panic attacks. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

WHOOPS, I posted in the wrong section. How do I move this?

Hey Maven,
recently, I tried Adderall because my doctor gave it to me about 2 years ago and I never took it. I have been at my wit's end trying to get my depression under control. When I took Adderall, it did wonders for me.

This is when I knew that I must have had ADD for a long time because no other drug worked this well. I snapped out of my funk and was able to get my work done. In other words, I was focused. A lot of people have told me that if you don't have ADD, that's when the drug causes the rapid heart beat and panicky feeling. This was not the case with me. I am a dreamer, very creative, I never finish projects, I lose my train of thought, I procrastinate etc...This led me to think I was depressed because I thought I was useless. Adderall helped me focus. I have not experienced any type of panic feeling (and I have had panic attacks in the past so I know how they are).

I wish I would have tried this drug when my doctor prescribed it. It has been a wonder for me!! Good luck to you!

good to know! i'm just extra paranoid lately with anything that might jump-start my panic attacks -- to the point that even thinking about it starts giving me symptoms. damn, with my panic disorder, delayed sleep phase syndrome, ADHD...put a fork in me, i'm freakin' done -- highly seasoned with disorders!

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bootiebear1 said:
Hey Maven,
recently, I tried Adderall because my doctor gave it to me about 2 years ago and I never took it. I have been at my wit's end trying to get my depression under control. When I took Adderall, it did wonders for me.

This is when I knew that I must have had ADD for a long time because no other drug worked this well. I snapped out of my funk and was able to get my work done. In other words, I was focused. A lot of people have told me that if you don't have ADD, that's when the drug causes the rapid heart beat and panicky feeling. This was not the case with me. I am a dreamer, very creative, I never finish projects, I lose my train of thought, I procrastinate etc...This led me to think I was depressed because I thought I was useless. Adderall helped me focus. I have not experienced any type of panic feeling (and I have had panic attacks in the past so I know how they are).

I wish I would have tried this drug when my doctor prescribed it. It has been a wonder for me!! Good luck to you!


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Hi Mavenfp, I too struggle from anxiety and ADD. I take a stimulant--dexidrine and it does not cause problems with my anxiety. Matter of fact, since I can think clearer, I think it might even help with the anxiety in a weird sort of way.

hey, that actually makes a lot of sense! if you are procrastinating less and thinking clearer -- you feel more in control, i'm guessing glad i found this website.

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DePressMe said:
Hi Mavenfp, I too struggle from anxiety and ADD. I take a stimulant--dexidrine and it does not cause problems with my anxiety. Matter of fact, since I can think clearer, I think it might even help with the anxiety in a weird sort of way.

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Maven...I have ADHD also among other things and have been on Strattera which is the non stimulant drug but it did nothing nada zip. I then got switched to Adderall and omg it is a wonder drug. I was able to get off my antidepressant since being on the adderall. In school I can actually get things done and am going to run for President of our Student organization next semester and I wouldn't have been able to make that decision without the help of my adderall.

Jbug