ADHD medication not working? instead causing emotional/mental problems?

My doctor diagnosed me with ADHD for my forgetfulness/bad memory and concentration

I took concerta and the first day it worked like a miracle. My memory was impecable, and i was eager to learn &socialize which was unusual because i am a very reserved person

my doctor wanted me to wait a month, but i stopped taking it after 1.5 weeks because i noticed
after the first day i began to experience negativity, social anxiety, sensitivity, low self confidence& esteem, and more withdrawn and full of anger. i couldn't take it anymore so
i was switched to 20mg adderall
and i have yet to experience any form of improvement (day 3).
but i've been experiencing similar side effects as concerta.

does anyone have some kind of input? (i'm not interested in sarcastic or otherwise meaningless remarks)
do you think i might need a higher dosage,
or should i stop taking it completley?

i've tried talking to my doctor but he doesn't acknowledge these symptoms the way i'd like him to

The trick with this stuff is finding the right medicine, the right dosage and the right schedule about when to take each pill. I heard Ritalin works right off the bat for about 80% of the people but the other 20% (still a high number) have to search around a bit more. There are still plenty more medications to try.

Higher dosages usually mean more side effects. Just remember that you are in charge. Going in with a diary of when you took your pills and when you noticed what feelings. Track that for a couple of weeks and then go take that in and I doubt they will dismiss this.

I have seen a world in difference in care from my physician based on how well I explain things to him or her and by doing some research before I go in there.

Hi,
You should get a competent, NON-PSYCHIATRIC doctor's assistance and slowly wean off the medication. Those drugs are extremely dangerous (I'll get those sources in a second) but stopping them suddenly can be dangerous too.

http://www.cchr.org/pseudoscience/drug_e...
This lists common psychiatric drugs and their side effects.

"In 2006 the FDA announced that they received 51 reports of sudden death from ADHD drugs such as Adderall. (Keith Altman, an expert in analyzing adverse event data, stated that only an estimated 1-10% of adverse events on drugs are reported to the FDA.)"
from here: http://www.cchr.org/press_room/press_rel...

There is hope, your situation can be handled, but not if you continue to rely on psychiatrists to inform you accurately about the dangers of their "treatments". Most will, as you found, turn a deaf ear to complaints and maybe switch you onto another unproven drug.

Please feel free to email me for any more info, questions or help finding a good doctor.
-M

ADHD Treatment Failures
If a child continues to do poorly and doesn't respond to 2 or 3 stimulant medications, the AAP considers that to be a treatment failure and that the original diagnosis of ADHD should be evaluated. So instead of ADHD, maybe the child has a learning disability or behavioral problem causing his symptoms. The AAP also recommends that these children have further evaluation for a coexisting condition, which might include a learning disability, depression, bipolar disorder, etc.
Behavior therapy with a child psychologist or other mental health therapist might also be helpful for your child.

Daphne -

If your doctor is not listening to you, I would suggest finding another psychiatrist who will evaluate your current medications. That would be my first concern and a place to start.

Most importantly, however, I would want to know whether or not you really have ADHD. There are far too many illnesses, psychological problems, and things going on in life that can mimic symptoms of ADHD.

Because of ADHD's popularity and more recent public exposure, it is far too easy to suggest you have ADHD. Too many people think they know what ADHD looks like.

What you describe (forgetfulness, bad memory, and concentration) could be related to any number of problems.

Have there been any recent losses in your life? Has there been any significant changes in your life or in the immediate world around you?

Are you worried about something new?

I would suggest the following:

1. Meet with a therapist
2. Consider everything going on in your life right now
3. Get a 2nd opinion on your diagnosis
4. Get a 2nd opinion on medications.

Good luck

Rory
http://www.thetruthbehindadhd.com