why does Adderall turn me into a lethargic, unmotivated zombie?

[deecbee]

I have searched high and low looking for answers and I haven’t found any. The funny thing is, I keep seeing so many people out there experiencing the same thing that I am. Most of the answers are “ask your doctor” or “maybe it’s just not right for you”. I’m hoping someone here can give me a biological/psychological explanation beyond that.

I have not taken adderall for very long. Two months tops, and maybe only once or twice a week. I have 20mg XR that I usually take in the morning right before breakfast. 30-1 hour in, I feel the come up, a little bit of a rush and a need to “get everything done right away”. And then, almost suddenly, it drops off. This happens 2-3 hours after I take the pill.

It’s like my mind goes blank and I turn into a total zombie. I get lethargic and my mind turns to sludge. Anything that I’m supposed to do at work doesn’t get done. I literally will sit at my desk all day and stare at the computer screen, or compulsively check my email inbox over and over, with no real goal or reason for doing it. My mind draws a HUGE blank and I just sit there, not sure what to do, or what to think about… actually, not even wanting to think about anything. When I’m in this state, I’d be 100% content laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling for hours thinking about nothing, or going in circles in my mind. If I do focus on something, it is something completely stupid. For instance today at work, I spent 6 hours on my blackberry looking up people who have the same symptoms as me. 6 hours.

It is really weird. Nothing gets done because I have no motivation. It is completely gone. I just stare at my desk or my phone, chew the insides of my cheeks. It seems to have the opposite effect on me- I have NO desire to talk to anyone, or do anything besides stare.

What is causing this? Is the dose too high or too low? Or perhaps there something in my brain chemistry that makes this so? I am a generally anxious and depressed person- nothing to the point of being on medication for it, but it has been prevalent my entire life. Any thoughts, anyone?

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

I can't give you an answer to why Adderall makes you this way but what I do know is that it doesn't sound like Adderall is for you. If it makes you the way just explained, why continue to take it? It seems to be doing the opposite of what it is supposed to do. That's how I feel when I "don't" take my Adderall. I can tell you though, what you just explained is how I felt on Ritalin.

 

[deecbee]

The reason I'm taking it (or trying to) is because I'm normally an unmotivated person, and I usually lack focus. Adderall makes it WORSE, but its still a problem without it. I guess I'm still taking it because I'm hoping that it will change over time. I'm just curious what it is about me that reacts this way to stims.

 

[hair-O'winn]

stop....?

 

[Noboru Wataya]

“ask your doctor” or “maybe it’s just not right for you”. that's the best advice any of us could give you. we don't know your body/brain chemistry. they mentioned that b/c hopefully a DOCTOR, who is trained and practices to be able to, can know this and give you the answer you're looking for.

 

[Z Y G G Y]

Have you tried other stimulants?

 

[deecbee]

Yeah, "stop". I get it. Let's say I did. I'm still curious about why some people go up on stims and why some go down. I dunno, maybe I'm weird for wanting to know the why's and how's of everything. I've lurked on this board for a while and I always see people in here talking about chemistry as if they're mad scientists, I figured maybe someone would have some insight.

Re: other stimulants, the only other stims I've used would be coffee, energy drinks, green tea, etc. Those are a mixed bag. Usually I am oversensitive to coffee (nausea, stomach aches, rapid heart rate at a low dose) and physically sleepy/mentally wired.

 

[casper1231]

Thats all very wierd isn't it a stimulant supposed to stimulate you? i know that the one time i did it i couldnt stop doing things even while i was trying to go to sleep that night. i wound up keeping my girl up all night rubbing her haha. point being it should be motivating you right?

 

[WorldWarMe]

I get a similar problem. For me, the first couple hours are great, and then the come down...not only am I 'slow', but I also become depressed, and sometimes even irritable. And I'm usually very tired. So at work, at first I'm doing great, but unless I take another in the afternoon, I can't keep it going. It also boots my mood the first couple hours, I feel pretty good, but like I said, it never lasts.

I found 30mg at a time works for me, but again that's only for a few hours.

Also, if I go for a long time..six months or a year, without taking it, the first week back on it I feel fucking AMAZING. Not hungry at all, lots of energy, feeling good. But by the second week, that all starts to taper down.

I guess these nasty side effects are why I only ever seem to stay on it for a couple months at a time.

I too am naturally unmotivated.

That's not a "problem", that's called a comedown. Take a benzo to avoid that.

 

[Soap MacTavish]

yeah this is pretty much how it goes with amphetamines. Tolerance develops rapidly, especially with certain genetically pre-disposed individuals. The zombie mode is indeed the come down. I have the same problem in that respect. You have to keep upping the dose and intervals to maintain these initial honeymoon effects. It's a bitch isn't it? It's like a battle we can never win but are doomed to repeat forever.

 

[K'd-OUT-in-AZ]

I have 20mg XR that I usually take in the morning right before breakfast. 30-1 hour in, I feel the come up, a little bit of a rush and a need to “get everything done right away”. And then, almost suddenly, it drops off. This happens 2-3 hours after I take the pill.

It’s like my mind goes blank and I turn into a total zombie. I get lethargic and my mind turns to sludge. Anything that I’m supposed to do at work doesn’t get done. I literally will sit at my desk all day and stare at the computer screen, or compulsively check my email inbox over and over, with no real goal or reason for doing it. My mind draws a HUGE blank and I just sit there, not sure what to do, or what to think about… actually, not even wanting to think about anything. When I’m in this state, I’d be 100% content laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling for hours thinking about nothing, or going in circles in my mind. If I do focus on something, it is something completely stupid. For instance today at work, I spent 6 hours on my blackberry looking up people who have the same symptoms as me. 6 hours.

It is really weird. Nothing gets done because I have no motivation. It is completely gone. I just stare at my desk or my phone, chew the insides of my cheeks. It seems to have the opposite effect on me- I have NO desire to talk to anyone, or do anything besides stare.

What is causing this? Is the dose too high or too low? Or perhaps there something in my brain chemistry that makes this so? I am a generally anxious and depressed person- nothing to the point of being on medication for it, but it has been prevalent my entire life. Any thoughts, anyone?

"And then, almost suddenly, it drops off. This happens 2-3 hours after I take the pill."

That's called a comedown. Yes, XR should last longer, as it's advertised, 8-12 hours. I think I know what you mean now regarding that. When I was on XR it didn't last anymore longer than the instant release. Sustained release medication doesn't work for me. Though, the instant release wouldn't last "longer" than the XR so if you feel the way you do from it, I suggest you stop. There is nothing wrong with your chemical make-up, you just can't handle the comedown. Not everybody reacts the same to medications.

 

[Gofigure]

You are not alone here. It is amazing just how you pinpointed my very similar experiences. I think this is more of the norm than not. Many bloggers just say stop. Not as easy as they might think

 

[Swimmingdancer]

I think it should be easy to stop when a person hasn't been taking it for very long, presumably isn't addicted or dependent, and seems to get more negative effects than positive from it. I wouldn't keep taking something that made me feel that way. In fact I did easily quit Adderall for that reason.

Anyway, this thread is 2 years old and they probably aren't still reading. We discourage bumping of old threads unless you have something very important to add. Please PM me if you have any questions.