Stimulants Prolonged Anger/Meth Anger. Ritalin (Methylphenidate)

[Nokeo]

Between 2007-late 2009. I was heavily addicted to my ritalin. Easing up to 80-120mg a day. I had finally stopped when I had a small panic attack and slight body seizure.

It's 2011, my anger and irritability that I had when I was addicted on the drug has become worse. Outbursts and just retarded stupid ass anger comes out. And I mean pissed.

So, Ritalin has altered my Brain and I am now an unhappy kid? Or just Bi-polar? Lol!

 

[brutus]

Have you talked to a doctor/psychiatrist about this?

 

[Elisa Dewen]

You sound like you could have bipolar disorder, or a rarer disorder like explosive rage disorder. Have you seen a psychiatrist and described your symptoms?

Sounds like you were possibly over-self-medicating with the Ritalin. Have you tried an amphetamine based drug (dexedrine or adderall) in therapeutic ranges? Perhaps these will be more effective without you needing to take too much like with Ritalin. Do you have an ADHD diagnosis?

 

[Ayrios]

That's a lot of Ritalin to do daily, but you said "my" Ritalin which suggests to me it was a monthly script for a reasonable dose and you would skip days every month till you had enough to dose 80-120mg, so I'm assuming you weren't always on quite that much. That makes it seem less likely the Ritalin played much of a role in your development of this anger.

I don't even think that's relevant, though. Ritalin could have merely brought things to the surface sooner. I would see a psychiatrist--there's nothing we can really tell you and I wouldn't suggest a particular diagnosis without having met you even if I was a psychiatrist qualified to do so.

"Meth Anger" is a funny term, by the way When I used to use meth, I was filled with empathy and almost as concerned for others as when on MDMA.

 

[the_ketaman]

I used to use a lot of IV ritalin and it always seemed to make me anxious which often turned into anger.

Ive been using meth for 8 years now, its a habit but not necessarily an addiction. I use once every week or 2 and the few days after I use.... well people have learned to stay away from me and my mum can tell every time that ive used meth coz of how angry I get over insignificant things for a few days after, its a full-on RAGE! I know I need to stop because im scared ill do something stupid but meth is the most common drug around here after pot, its everywhere and so hard to get away from. Ive found its harder to stop using meth at the rate ive been doing it than it was to quit a heavy, every-day IV opiate addiction.

Anyway I suggest you see a psychologist and tell them everything otherwise theres no point in going. Im fairly sure I have Bi-Polar because my father had it and were sure my sister has it.... I really hope you find yourself some help mate because I know how it feels to be out of control and its such a helpless feeling sometimes. There is help out there for you mate, you just need to be willing to let them help you no matter how strange their strategies seem to be. Look after yourself mate

 

[Nokeo]

Will go see my doctor. This sounds exactly like it "Intermittent explosive disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of aggressive, violent behavior in which you react grossly out of proportion to the situation."

 

[Nokeo]

I know I am Bi-Polar for a fact and the IED sounds like it is tagging along with it. You guys know best, as you've helped with my Anxiety

 

[Vaya]

You sound like you could have bipolar disorder, or a rarer disorder like explosive rage disorder. Have you seen a psychiatrist and described your symptoms?

I believe what you're referring to is IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder), but this is seen more often in the mentally retarded, as well as those with one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (including Asperger's). However, it's certainly not outside the realm of possibility, but during my tenure working at a psychiatric facility I made the observation that those diagnosed with IED had had symptoms for their entire lives. I'd have to do more research to see if IED can develop over time, or be exacerbated/created by heavy use of psychostimulants.

~ vaya

EDIT: whoops, looks like Nokeo was already on the IED kick; that's what I get for not reading the thread through in its entirety before posting 8)

 

[Vaya]

Okay so I went ahead and did some quick research, it appears that IED can occur later in life, based on this excerpt:

A 2006 study suggests that the disorder is considerably more prevalent than previously thought. In a study of almost 10,000 individuals 18 years or older, lifetime episodes were reported at 7.3%, while 12-month occurrences were reported at 3.9%.

(Source): Kessler RC, Coccaro EF, Fava M, Jaeger S, Jin R, Walters E (June 2006). "The prevalence and correlates of DSM-IV intermittent explosive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication". Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 63 (6): 669–78.

Also, something of serious interest to you:

Prevalence is higher in men than in women. The disorder itself is not easily characterized and often exhibits comorbidity with other mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder.

(Source):McElroy SL, Soutullo CA, Beckman DA, Taylor P, Keck PE (April 1998 ). "DSM-IV intermittent explosive disorder: a report of 27 cases". J Clin Psychiatry 59 (4): 203–10; quiz 211.

You should *definitely* consult your psychiatrist about this.

Lastly, I just found this citation in an article I was reading on the subject:

Adrian, N. (2001). "Explosive outbursts associated with methylphenidate." Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

However, as tantalizing as finding that article's citation was, I simply cannot find a full-text readable version online, nor any more of an abstract than that. But apparently there is, indeed, a published link between methylphenidate and explosive outbursts. Pursue this further, man - interesting, interesting!

~ vaya

 

[xxsicknessxx]

Speed changes your brain for good. I know that from exp. I don't have anger issues but it sure changes how I feel about things. So has every drug I ever did. I think its possible it did make you bipolar. I never swung from happy to depressed until I used. Now its common for me to get down down down or up up up. but I choose to not medicate it. I expect it.