Paranoid symptoms from adderall Posted: 04-26-08 21:36pm
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.
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singlemamma
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 61 Location: ,
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Posted: 04-26-08 22:03pm
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?
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jabob
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 04-27-08 07:26am
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?
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singlemamma
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Posts: 61 Location: ,
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 04-27-08 08:50am
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).
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spoils_of_youth
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Stimulants Posted: 04-29-08 00:26am
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!
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jabob
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 04-29-08 05:51am
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?
