Adderall or dextroamphetamine-amphetamine is a Schedule II psychoactive drug/stimulant generally prescribed and strictly supervised by medical practitioners to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
However, it’s known to be occasionally abused to improve stamina and feel more energetic to take on the day.
According to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, published by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, it is an excessively abused substance. And the majority of people aged 18 to 25 who misuse Adderall do so because they were given the drug by a friend or a relative rather than a doctor.
Adderall abuse can have severe consequences and even backfire if you have been struggling with anxiety symptoms.
So, the question here is, does Adderall help with anxiety? The short answer is a big “NO.” Let’s explore this topic in more detail.
ADHD Treatment And Adderall
Adderall is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD.
ADHD patients have a continuous need for stimulation due to dopamine deficiency. Therefore, Adderall helps to address ADHD by raising the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
It stimulates the central nervous system to help improve focus and reduce impulsive behavior, more commonly observed in people with ADHD.
However, unfortunately, some patients with ADHD are also likely to co-develop anxiety symptoms complicating the treatment protocol because Adderall is also known to worsen anxiety symptoms.
Illegal use of stimulants such as Adderall and other study drugs to enhance concentration and productivity is common among younger, middle-aged adults and older teens.
But this can have many adverse effects on the body, medical problems, not to mention severe addiction.
Side Effects of Adderall on Anxiety Symptoms
Adderall is closely related to symptoms of psychosis. On a psychological level, you might experience the following:
- Hallucinations
- Delusional thoughts
- Aggression and irritability
- Restlessness
- Quick mood changes
- Serious paranoia
- Nervousness
- Lack of organization
- Excessive trust issues
Excessive doses of Adderall can cause extreme addiction and dependence on the drug, worsening anxiety after the relaxing effects disappear.
Commonly observed physical side effects of Adderall:
Prolonged use of Adderall can also have serious physical side effects, making it difficult to lead a normal life. Below are some of them.
- Headache
- Sleeping disorders
- Heavy perspiration
- Racing heartbeat
- Dilated pupils
- Chest pain
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Nausea
- Extreme blood pressure
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Dry mouth
- Stomach upset or diarrhea
- Dizziness and convulsions
- Trembling
- Seizures, comas, irreversible brain, liver, or heart damage, negative impact on nerve cells, and cardiac arrest/stroke are not uncommon in the case of a severe Adderall reaction.
Adderall overdose can also make you susceptible to a dangerous condition called Rhabdomyolysis or Rhabdo, causing death or permanent disability. It primarily happens due to the release of electrolytes and proteins into the bloodstream caused by severely injured muscle tissues.
Is it The Best Psychoactive Drug For Anxiety?
Since Adderall releases happy neurotransmitters, it can effectively treat ADHD and make you more wakeful or alert. But it may not be the best stimulant to treat anxiety. So, it becomes particularly tricky to treat a patient with both anxiety and ADHD.
Conventional treatments may not bring positive outcomes as anxiety complicates the process of treating ADHD. Common yet serious side effects include panic attacks and a lack of controlled behavior.
Therefore, your psychiatrist may recommend regular counseling for anxiety and a combination of multiple effective treatments for your ADHD.
Doctors generally advise against stimulant-based standalone treatments for both ADHD and anxiety. A personalized protocol supported by CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and other approaches can target the root causes better.
It allows for a holistic understanding of the conflicting symptoms, and it’s way easier for patients to manage anxiety better by developing effective coping methods.
Impact of Long-Term Adderall Usage
Overindulgence and unprescribed long-term Adderall intake increase the frequency of panic episodes. Chronic usage can cause extreme withdrawal and negative chemical disturbances in the brain.
Stopping the consumption of Adderall must also be strictly controlled and supervised by your doctor, as the withdrawal symptoms may be incredibly challenging to deal with.
Unfortunately, you are most likely to fall into depression due to the sudden loss of Adderall supply to your brain, also known as Adderall crash. It’s also counterproductive when it comes to treating anxiety. Here are the major symptoms to look out for:
- Eating and sleeping disorders
- Excessive anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Constant nervousness and crankiness
- Inability to focus and think straight
- Excessive body pain and physical exhaustion
- No desire for sexual activity
- Loss of drive and hope
Alternatives That You Can Try For Treating Anxiety Better
Treatment for anxiety should ideally not involve reliance on stimulants like Adderall unless your anxiety disorder is resistant to most treatments available.
You can also experiment with safer drugs, such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine, that don’t induce neurotic effects on the brain.
It’s also advisable to gradually reduce your Adderall dosage and dependence under the guidance of your physician and psychiatric practitioner. This method is called tapering, and withdrawal symptoms, in this case, can be life-threatening.
So, it should always be performed in a supervised environment after consulting your doctor.
Sometimes, consuming natural supplements like vitamins can also alleviate anxiety symptoms.
If you have the financial wherewithal, staying at rehabilitation or de-addiction centers can work wonders in sustainably treating your anxiety. The in-house medical experts and counselors can help you with various recovery-oriented programs.
Can Valium and Xanax be used as alternative stimulants for anxiety?
Valium and Xanax are popular anti-anxiety drugs that belong to the category of benzodiazepines. These are often recommended for the off-label treatment of anxiety. Both drugs can induce a mild sedative effect and help address anxiety.
Diazepam goes by the brand name Valium, whereas alprazolam is sold under the brand name Xanax. You can take either of the two after consulting your physician/psychiatric practitioner based on your drug tolerance levels and the severity of your mental disorder.
How Does Adderall Usage Backfire?
For patients with ADD or ADHD, Adderall can restore normal functioning, making them feel more alert and focused on the task at hand. But for people suffering from severe anxiety, Adderall can distort perception by causing intense confusion in specific brain regions.
When the brain incorrectly perceives these stimuli, you may experience delusional thoughts and hallucinations, which are one of the most dangerous side effects of Adderall.
This behavior is generally linked with Adderall-induced paranoia, also known as psychosis in extreme cases.
Those with a genetic predisposition to mental illnesses, such as a history of bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and other disorders running in the family, are at risk of developing symptoms of psychosis.
These conditions can further aggravate due to uncontrolled and unregulated consumption of Adderall.
Conclusion
According to Mentalhelp.net, prescription drugs kill more Americans than other drug groups. Unsupervised usage of Adderall can be fatal and exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
A mental healthcare provider is the best person to consult if you experience moderate to severe anxiety symptoms or need help with ADHD and anxiety.
Also, if you are in contact with friends or family members engaged in blatant Adderall abuse. And if you notice something is off about their behavior, observe the symptoms and reach out to them proactively, as they would most likely not confide in you, fearing stigmatization or judgment.
I hope you found the article useful. Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts in the comments below.
She is an experienced Clinical Psychologist and Mental Health Writer with a decade of expertise in psychology. Skilled in assessment, therapy, and patient care. Committed to helping individuals through clinical practice and mental health writing at Therapyjourney.co. Passionate about promoting mental well-being and awareness. Open to aligned opportunities.