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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Ritalin
Question: My former psychiatrist perscribed a small dose of ritalin ER to offset some side effects of antidepressants. A newer doctor suspected the antidepressants were causing a bipolar/cyclothymic reaction, and took me off the SSRI. Since then, if I take more than 5mgs ritalin I feel very impulsive and sometime expansive and panicky. But it can help with focus, motivation, and task completion.
Is this a typical bipolar reaction to ritalin?
Is this a typical bipolar reaction to ritalin?
Brief Answer:
Ritalin side effects
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with side effects from Ritalin. Since ritalin is an amphetamine anyone who does not have ADD can have Mania, and anxiety or panic. This is the nature of the drug and not caused by your bipolar disorder. Though having Bipolar you will be more prone to having hypomania and anxiety while taking the ritalin. I would recommend that you not take the ritalin as the side effects maybe worse than the benefit of better concentration and reduced impulsivity. But only you and your doctor can make that decision. I would discuss this with your therapist before stopping your medication
In summary
1. Ritalin is an amphetamine and can cause anxiety
2. Discuss options with your medical provider
3. ritalin may increase symptoms of mania and anxiety with bipolar patients
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Ritalin side effects
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with side effects from Ritalin. Since ritalin is an amphetamine anyone who does not have ADD can have Mania, and anxiety or panic. This is the nature of the drug and not caused by your bipolar disorder. Though having Bipolar you will be more prone to having hypomania and anxiety while taking the ritalin. I would recommend that you not take the ritalin as the side effects maybe worse than the benefit of better concentration and reduced impulsivity. But only you and your doctor can make that decision. I would discuss this with your therapist before stopping your medication
In summary
1. Ritalin is an amphetamine and can cause anxiety
2. Discuss options with your medical provider
3. ritalin may increase symptoms of mania and anxiety with bipolar patients
I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you very much. The primary reason for my question is I'm trying to distinguish between PTSD and the bipolar spectrum. The bipolar is in my family (and was the suggestion of my interim pdoc, who wanted me to take an atypical antipsychotic) but my therapist sees my symptoms as complex trauma.
The symptoms are similar and if I can determine they are bipolar, then I can medicate appropriately and more safely and without so many failed trials and polypharmacy. There is debate among my doctors and in talking with family as to weather I have BPII or not.
I don't want to take heavy, blunting mood stabilizers if I don't have it and I find trauma therapy ineffective when I am medicated.
However I don't want to waste years on therapy, night terrors, depression trying to treat PTSD if I just need to be medicated.
I thought the fact that I would have such an extreme reaction to such a small dose of ritalin would be of some differential value. I am only taking the ritalin PRN and I feel that my sleep disturbances increase when I take it regularly, so I'll probably stop. I am in-between psychiatrists right now.
The symptoms are similar and if I can determine they are bipolar, then I can medicate appropriately and more safely and without so many failed trials and polypharmacy. There is debate among my doctors and in talking with family as to weather I have BPII or not.
I don't want to take heavy, blunting mood stabilizers if I don't have it and I find trauma therapy ineffective when I am medicated.
However I don't want to waste years on therapy, night terrors, depression trying to treat PTSD if I just need to be medicated.
I thought the fact that I would have such an extreme reaction to such a small dose of ritalin would be of some differential value. I am only taking the ritalin PRN and I feel that my sleep disturbances increase when I take it regularly, so I'll probably stop. I am in-between psychiatrists right now.
Brief Answer:
PTSD vs Bipolar
Detailed Answer:
Your ritalin will not help distinguish between bipolar and PTSD. If you are having night terrors then there is a medication called prazosin that can be used to help reduce the night terrors. This is actually a blood pressure medication but seems to help reduce the night terrors for PTSD patients. I would recommend asking your medical provider to do a trial of prazosin.
PTSD vs Bipolar
Detailed Answer:
Your ritalin will not help distinguish between bipolar and PTSD. If you are having night terrors then there is a medication called prazosin that can be used to help reduce the night terrors. This is actually a blood pressure medication but seems to help reduce the night terrors for PTSD patients. I would recommend asking your medical provider to do a trial of prazosin.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you I actually have some prozasin which I forgot about!
Brief Answer:
your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and best wishes
your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and best wishes
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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