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Q: Paranoid symptoms from adderall

asked by: jabob on April 26th, 2008

New User

I need advice on what to do to help my cousin. She has been taking Adderall by prescription for the better part of 8 years. In the last 5, she has turned into a paranoid shell of the wonderful person she used to be. I am convinced it is because of the Adderall. Here are the problems...

When she started taking it in college (for ADHD) it seemed to help, her grades improved tremendously. But after she graduated, it seems like she has become stuck. This is when the strange behaviors began. She started talking nonstop, veering off into tangents and would talk for HOURS!!!! About 3 years ago, she started had this episode where she barricaded herself in her apartment, removed all the AC vent covers b/c she thought her mother had placed cameras in them, removed all lightbulbs b/c she thought they were hidden microphones and wouldn't let anyone in. Then, she disappeared for 3 days, leaving her dog (whom she loves like a child) alone without food or water, threw her cell phone in the trash and wouldn't tell anyone where she went. She also is convinced that she is going to get raped, so she takes birth control pills (no boyfriend, ever).

She has lost the hearing in her right ear, which I have read is a symptom of Adderall abuse. She sits in her apartment and knits for days because she is taking way too many of her pills. She goes off on religious tangents, quoting huge chunks of the bible and wringing her hands and spouting off that if you aren't saved, you are going to hell.

The worst part is the physical changes...she has developed this wierd way of cocking her head at a strange angle and opening her eyes so wide. She also can't seem to realize that she is out of high school. Everything she talks about happened 10 years ago, nothing about the past 10 years. It's like she has no clue.

She has become obsessed with her "ADHD". It's all she talks about. It's almost like it is her reason for being on this earth. She cannot or will not hold a job - I can't even list the jobs she has had in the past 5 years. After starting a job, she either gets fired for not showing up or quits b/c she thinks people are out to get her.

Her mother is basically turning a blind eye...almost accepting the fact that her daughter has turned into a fruit cake. Is there ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP HER???? This has got to stop...but I don't know what I can do. She is 28, but acts like she is 12. Can prolonged ABUSE of Adderall cause these things? I know that she was taking more than her prescribed does for a very long time. She switched drs. about 6 months ago, but I don't think he has changed her meds. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE??? SURELY HE CAN SEE THAT SHE NEEDS HELP!!!! This is just an overview of her behavior, believe me, there is more.

Please, anyone, tell me what I can do. I am sick over this. It has gone on too long.

Thank you.

Replies(9)

singlemamma

replied on April 26th, 2008

Experienced User

It is my understanding that those with true ADHD rarely get addicted to Adderall.

However in your early 20's other mental issues can come out that manifested themselves as ADHD in earlier years such as bi-polar disease.

My suggestion would be if she is doing things such as removing the vent covers and exhibits extreme paranoia in your presence is to just have her committed for 48 hours and maybe she can get the help she needs.

Have you actually tried speaking to her about all of this?

jabob

replied on April 27th, 2008

New User

Thank you for your reply! I have suspected that the Adderall has unmasked the bi-polar disorder. Yes, several people have tried talking to her, but she will not talk about her medication or her strange behaviors. She either changes the subject or leaves. How do you get an adult committed? Doesn't an involuntary committment require a judges' input/authorization?

singlemamma

replied on April 27th, 2008

Experienced User

Each state I believe will have some laws that are different call a local hospital with a good psyc ward and ask them for sure but you can call 911 when she is exhibting erratic paranoia type behaviors and they will evaluate her at the ER with a psyc consult. From there they can hold her for up to 48 hours (longer if she is deemed to be a threat to herself or others).

spoils_of_youth

replied on April 29th, 2008

New User

Stimulants

She may another mental health diagnosis, but as far as her medication goes: Adderall is a stimulant and acts similarly to methamphetamine in those who abuse it. There are TONS of people in recovery for abusing prescription stimulants such as Adderall, Dexedrine, and Ritalin. They are highly addictive. Many psychiatric medications aren't approved for long-term use (over one year), but most people who take these medications will continue taking them for years and years.

Stimulants in excess cause hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. It sounds to me like she is taking too much Adderall, and has possibly become dependent on it. She exhibits all the behaviors of someone addicted to methamphetamine or cocaine. While it's hard to commit an adult against their will, it might be helpful to talk to her about it in a non-judgemental way. Perhaps staging an intervention with a specialist would be a good idea.

Either way, I hope she gets the help she needs, and it's good that you are concerned about her. Best wishes!

jabob

replied on April 29th, 2008

New User

Thank you for your response.

I recently found out that one of her doctors switched her to the extended release Adderall. But, then she let it slip (to me) that she was also taking Hydroxycut. I asked her why and she said for energy. That just leads me to believe that she isn't getting the high she used to get, so is "supplementing" the new pills.

Is there any cause for immediate concern regarding mixing the two?

Thank you so much!!!

anonymous12345

replied on May 11th, 2008

New User

Schizophrenia?

ml1221

replied on January 30th, 2009

New User

Schizophrenia

I myself ws uing adderall for around a year. I began to have delusions, hear voices, and became very paranoid. I thought it was all "Gods Plan" at the time and didnt tell anyone. I continued to take the medication and slipped into another world. It wasnt til my dad had me hospitalized and i came clean from the drug that i slowly began to be whole again. I am on Risperidal Consta currently for schizophrenia and still struggle with my thoughts, movements, and coordination. Now i still hear voices but i know what is real and what is not. Im back in the realm of normal. I have no doubt that it was the Adderall combined with my genetics that caused me to slip off into "another world." I would advise you have your cousin hospitalized so mental health professionals can evaluate her. When i went off the adderall i had terrible withdrawl, pain throughout my body and lower back, was hooked to intravenous pain medication during the time. Its been a long road back, still a struggle but i am 11 credits short on my Bachelors Degree and will be employed. Sekk help, think positive, and best of luck to you.

1worriedmom

replied on April 14th, 2009

New User

wake up call

Ml1221, I keep reading and re-reading your message. My son is going through the same thing right now. He "was" in college, but became so paranoid he couldn't get to class without turning around and heading back to his apt. He had all of the symptoms you mentioned. He's currently in a rehab center. What shocked me most is that you are still recovering. I was hoping that he would be taking Risperidone just until it brought him back to "normal." From what you're saying, recovery is not like that.
Can you shed some light on what I can expect during his recovery?
It sounds like you are doing great, and I'm sure you're thankful your dad intervened when he did.
I wish you all the best.

beachboy2009

replied on May 14th, 2009

New User

Paranoid

Jabob,

Your story made me laugh out loud. Thats the same dumb crap i use to do but on a way more extreme level. Thats totally the effects of adderall for ya. I was on it for college as well, a steady 4 years.

I have been cutting back on adderall for the past year.

Reasons for quitting.

-Extreme sweat doing the smallest physical activity.

-Made me break out on my back.

-greasy oily skin. made me look tanner..cant explain why...

-I seem to lose muscle, size, and strength very fast on adderall. Not a good work out supplement.

-Extremely cocky "know it all" attitude.

-Very talkative and annoying.

- Cant keep a girl friend on this stuff. Makes you paranoid as crap.

- implants fake emotions in your head. You fall in love way too easily. Get attached way too much. There's this one story i read where a guy had to keep taking his adderall in order to stay in love with his wife..funny

-Gives you ocd behavior. example arranging stuff on your work desk making in completely perfect and aligned.

-Muscle spasms.

-coming down off adderall can make you down right nasty! HUGE mood swings. like a PMS'ing women. Its like menopause.

- hallucinations while driving! Id see black figures in the road. lmao

- time goes by too fast on this crap. Before you know it 4 years have past.

- It will make you look older a lot faster in my opinion.

- Causes you to sweat all over your sex partner... sometimes hot but usually not a great thing.

- You are always hotter(temperature) then everyone else.

- I dont think that feeling my heart beet is a good thing while doing normal activity. My normal heart rate on adderall was like 140 beets a minute. I dont think that's good. My friends was like half that amount when we tested it.

My first attempt to quit lasted 30 days. First three days i slept pretty much all day. I ate a crap load and then went back to sleep. In a week i was going out again. The second week i felt happy for about a minute. third week was alot better. I began eating alot of healthy foods and began working out. My strength and muscle grew at record speeds. fourth week i was feeling soooo good i figured id take an adderall to feel even better!

...back to the drawing board.

i dont feel like writing anymore now...id have to pop an adderal to finish....oh, im on day three now. Maybe il be off for good this time.

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