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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SB on November 14, 1999, at 15:40:04
My doctor just put me on Ritalin for depression. He said that it works as a stimulant for people who have depression. I have always heard of it being used for ADD/ADHD. Is it used for both? I have a great deal of trouble with medications, being severely sensitive to many. My most recent medications have been Neurontin, Prozac, Trazadone, Remeron & now I'm off of everything except the Ritalin, which I just started 24 hrs ago. I feel like screaming & I still cry often. Any input?
Posted by Noa on November 14, 1999, at 19:18:33
In reply to Ritalin to treat depression?, posted by SB on November 14, 1999, at 15:40:04
As far as I know, Ritalin is sometimes used to treat depression in people who are medically fragile, or elderly. Also, it is used to jumpstart antideppresants, which can take a number of weeks to start working. And, it is used to augment antidepresants, which is what I take it for.
It might work for you, but keep in mind that it does not maintain a sustained effect. It has a short lived effect, and if doses are not timed right, you can experience "rebound" low mood, irritability, fatigue etc. as the effect wears off.
I think the primary effect of ritalin is increased alertness.
Posted by CarolAnn on November 16, 1999, at 9:54:20
In reply to Ritalin to treat depression?, posted by SB on November 14, 1999, at 15:40:04
Hi, I'm a little surprised that your Dr. has you on *only* Ritalin. My Dr. had me on it in order to augment my antidepressant(which was not working). I've always suffered severe fatigue(been tested for every medical reason possible)as one symptom of my depression. So, the ritalin was prescribed to give me more energy while attempting to find an antidepressant that will work for me. Anyway, I was told by my Dr. that Ritalin is only a *short* term "fix", and you really do have to keep trying different antidepressants until you find one that works. Also, I finally had to just stop getting the Ritalin because I started abusing it, taking more and more to get an effect, as I built up a tolerance for it. The point is, you may want to consider getting a second opinion if your Dr. is talking about Ritalin as a long term treatment for your depression. Good luck! CarolAnn
Posted by Marcia Watson on March 18, 2000, at 21:40:50
In reply to Ritalin to treat depression?, posted by SB on November 14, 1999, at 15:40:04
> My doctor just put me on Ritalin for depression. He said that it works as a stimulant for people who have depression. I have always heard of it being used for ADD/ADHD. Is it used for both? I have a great deal of trouble with medications, being severely sensitive to many. My most recent medications have been Neurontin, Prozac, Trazadone, Remeron & now I'm off of everything except the Ritalin, which I just started 24 hrs ago. I feel like screaming & I still cry often. Any input?
I have also been on everything underthe sun: either they didn't work or caused major side effects., Give this time. I am a new person, not to say I have an occassional bad day. but overall this has been the best so far and not side effects, Good luck
This is the end of the thread.
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