Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)?

[Andrei the 2nd]

Does the medicine work? Please describe your experience.

I only took risperidone for my depression. Sorry if I was useless, I never took the other medicines you've mentioned.

[Fortis in Arduis]

I only took risperidone for my depression. Sorry if I was useless, I never took the other medicines you've mentioned.

That, is an anti-psychotic, and this thread is not about depression.

[Andrei the 2nd]

That, is an anti-psychotic, and this thread is not about depression.

So, right now I learned that it was for my bi-polar issues...

[XUTERO]

My intention is to accept a prescription, appropriate for my twenty-five year old diagnosis, really, as an experiment, to see if it works, and if it does, to aim towards discontinuation once things have improved. I am highly skeptical, and resistant to the notion that I should take something to fix myself, which is why I did not pursue this before. What I have read is that use of stimulants can alter brain function over time, at therapeutic doses, to the point where the medicine is no longer required.

Also, I have had the idea that "so long as I have the therapist, I will have the problem", these sorts of ideas, so I have avoided seeking help in the form of psychotherapeutic interventions also. Now, I am more open to such, more willing to accept help.

I am not sure why the use of this medicine is so controversial for you. If I were a schizophrenic with terrible frightening symptoms, or a dangerous psychopath in need of sedation for my own and others' safety there would probably be little question in your mind that might I require medication as part of my treatment.

Do mild autism and ADHD occupy a special niche in your mind as specious diagnoses, possibly made up by psychiatrists to appease the disappointment of achievement-oriented parents and their failing children? I have read such assertions before, but they are disproved by neurology, and by the terrible reality of severe and crippling autism.

Please, do not project your depression or your story onto me. Depression is not my story. I had a wonderful childhood, and still-loving parents who are very supportive, and are and have been very generous with their time, money and love.

I you plan on using it and then reducing with time, I can only agree.
For all that concern psychiatrists, just throw it in the garbage. One way or another, they need you to be "mentally sick".
Otherwise they cannot justify their loans. It's a terrible concept put together by Freud.
I know the effects of Ritalin so I would recommend that one. It gives interest in any subject or activity, based on the doses.
It basically has the same effect than Amphetamine-based XTC pils at a 30 times lesser strength. Very effective to learn, for instance.

[Fortis in Arduis]

[Fortis in Arduis]

I ate 10mg Ritalin, about twenty-five minutes ago.

The appointment with the psychiatrist was three hours long. My father attended also, to answer questions about my childhood. Memories are mostly fiction, and there was a lot of badness that I had forgotten.

The diagnosis was Attention Deficit Disorder, without the hyperactivity component. According to NHS guidelines Dextroamphetamine might be indicated if I experience headaches.

[Fortis in Arduis]

I experience mild headaches, at 10mg, and, I am although I am less fidgety, I am still stuck... wondering what to do. Hmm... Dextroamphetamine is indicated, but I (pretty much know that I) will have to go through the process of slowly increasing the Ritalin (methylphenidate) dose until it has near-desired effects, with side-effects, before dextroamphetamine will be prescribed. Stupid tiresome process.

[Fortis in Arduis]

Ritalin is, for me, a diet pill that give me mild headaches.

I have had one piece of toast, and three coffees without sugar today. I have no appetite, and I even took a pill and slept for four hours in the afternoon.

I am, however, less bored, but completely unmotivated. This feels like homeopathy with added caffeine.

Ritalin FAIL.

[Fortis in Arduis]

Oh My God.

I did not sleep last night, I drank a bottle of Disaronno, and kept going until morning. I thought that I was going to sleep. Instead, I heard my father stirring at 6am, and I joined him for his cup of tea before matins, and got something off my chest about my past, about why I was much happier when I lived in Edinburgh, even though my life was really crazy and wrong on so many levels.

Then, as I sat down to browse, read the Daily "boring" Mail paper online and do the usual routines that I repeat and repeat, like listening to the same stupid music, I suddenly realised that these were just boring addictive behaviours that I have become locked into as a habit. All habits are boring.

Later, a family friend whose teenage son has really bothersome ADHD came round and we discussed the medicine and how they moderate diet to minimise side-effects, and we spoke at length. I understand now that the medicine is introduced slowly so that the side-effects fade out and the optimum dose is determined by titration.

Today has been a breakthrough for me, psychologically. How can a simple stimulant have such an effect on me? I feel calm, able to choose activities instead of being so impulsive and repetitive all the time. This is new.

I realise that this will be a long unfolding process, but I am looking forward. My addictions went much much deeper than substance misuse, I was addicted to doing the same displacement activities, over and over ... and over, again, and again... and again...

Ritalin is amazing. Dextroamphetamine might be better, but I am going to stick with the psych's plan, and move the fuck on with my previously boring life.

Anyone out there wondering whether ADHD is just a made-up bollocky disorder, please consider the strange calming effect that stimulants have on persons with ADHD. We have abnormal brain chemistry; most people would be flying up the walls. Why does it calm us down, mentally? There is neurological evidence for the difference and the medicine does not always have to be taken for life. I hope to give courage to those in doubt. It is not the answer, but I know now that this will enable me to move on and change my habits. I do not want coffee, cigarettes, or illicit drugs anymore, and I see my habits for what they once were. I have turned a corner.

I washed and did my hair smartly, and I am dressing like a boss again. Ritalin WIN!

This has come two weeks after starting the treatment. I am delighted. Love love love xxx

[Ivan Kramskoï]

Don't take these shits, psychotropes are bad for brains, it can lead further to degeneracy issues and limit reflexion.