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Thread: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

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    Default Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

    I haven't been prescribed anything yet but I have suffered severe insomnia in the past while on certain antidepressants and am scared that medication for ADHD, especially a stimulant, would bring it back.

    However I saw a video from an ADHD specialist where he was explaining that although people associate stimulants with wakefulness, if someone truly has ADHD they actually work to quieten the mind and shouldn't cause insomnia.


    One of the antidepressants I was on was Venlafaxine/Effexor, which is also used as a second-line ADHD med. I saw an improvement in motivation and focus whilst on it but had to stop taking it because of the unbearable insomnia it caused.

    I know it will be trial and error but am interested to hear from anyone who has any feedback.

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    If you genuinely have add/adhd stimulants will actually calm you. However, taking stimulants when you don't have it will make you energetic like you're had 4 cups of coffee.
    Effexor doesn't seem to be used for people with ADHD alone. They should have given you a stimulant as well. Make sure if they say to take your meds in the morning to take them then. I don't have ADHD, but if I take my SSRIs too late in the day they will keep me up

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    ^Thankyou. I'm hoping that will be the effect if I try them. It's complicated because I also have other conditions...so while I need dopamine to help with motivation, too much activation causes my insomnia and anxiety to worsen. On the other hand, SSRIs stop me wanting to die but leave me lethargic and flat with no motivation.

    I want to try Bupropion but it's close to impossible to get an off-label prescription in the UK.

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    Bupropion is ok with motivation and energy, but it gives me slight tremors. Nothing too serious though. I'm in the US.

    Idk if this is helpful at all but have you tried taking the meds in the morning? I can't sleep at all if I even take my SSRI's after noon...

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    ^Yes, when I'm on meds I always take them in the morning. I think because they are extended release is one reaaon I still had insomnia issues, but also couldn't tolerate instant release because of severe nausea.

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    I take meds for ADHD then an Ambien to go to sleep. I know it's really bad but I do tend to stop them both by May once I get everything paid off. It's just how it has to be at this point in time. I'm in full survivor mode so its no holds bar!

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    I am on Adderall for ADHD and I can take my medicine and fall asleep on it sometimes.. other times if I take it too late, I will be up all night. I'm on Cymbalta for my anxiety and depression. I take it at night along with a small pill (don't remember name of medicine) when my thoughts race at night. I've had to experiment with my ADHD medicines and their strengths, etc. and how they would do with my anxiety/depression meds. I actually have the opposite problem..I sleep soo much it takes a lot to get me up. That has improved with the experimenting with the strengths of the medicines. Maybe talk to your doctor about the different strengths of medications. I would also suggest seeing a second doctor to get another opinion. Most of these conditions could just be a small part of the puzzle. Maybe there is a bigger picture that could offer you more options to help you.
    My therapist recommended that I get a second opinion because she thought that while yes I do have anxiety/depression, maybe theres something more like bipolar disorder? That opened up more options for me and better results than just medicines for the details of the bigger picture..
    If any of that makes sense. Sorry its kinda rambling on.
    Best of luck to you. It takes time to find the right combination that will work for you! Keep your head up!

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    When I took my first ritalin I felt instant relief. I even take half of one sometimes when I can't sleep. However that calm reaction doesn't solely determine whether you have ADHD or not. Some stimulants don't work for people. Straterra and other types of drugs have been introduced for those that have ADHD but don't react positively to traditional stimulants.

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    My husband has been on Ritalin and adderall off and on for the past 15 years. If he takes one late or early in order to be more productive, that's been the only time I've ever seen it keep him up. (I have Actual Insomnia so I go to sleep wayyy later than him)

    If your dock gives you a schedule, STICK TO IT until you know how your meds interact with your body! Drink a lot of water, and take notes

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    For me, I often forget to eat or drink on my adhd meds (stimulants). They will keep me up if I take them too late, but also being dehydrated gives me insomnia. Making sure I drink enough water really helps.

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    Default Re: Do ADHD Meds Cause/Exacerbate Insomnia?

    Everyone's brain is different. If you have the opportunity, having a scan can actually help you find the best medication for you because different medications affect different parts of the brain. The reason why a spectrum of medications are for treating the same ailment is that the same symptoms can be caused by different parts of the brain being off.

    I had a brain scan done and it proved that in addition to depression and ADHD I had anxiety and am predisposed to PTSD. All things that make sense, but I thought were normal because I didn't know any better.

    If something works for you stick with it! For me I was on Lamictal for depression and Ritalin for ADHD and once I found the right combination I started to do really well in life which resulted in fewer mental problems. I'm now off of both and have been for several years and I'm doing way better mentally. Though now I've developed some fear of being depressed which kicks in during PMSing...

    Best of luck to you ladies. I'll leave this link here. This is the clinic I had my scan at.
    http://www.amenclinics.com/healthy-vs-unhealthy/

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