ADHD/ADD and Anxiety meds work together?

[tranquillike]

These are legit prescriptions, but SWIM has a history of panic attacks, a diagnosis of Generalized anxiety disorder accompanied with social anxiety. So he goes to a psychiatrist after getting finally tired of his general practitioner continue to give him only anti-depressants for GAD/anxiety attacks/extreme social anxiety. Well, the doctor asked if he'd ever been diagnosised with ADHD/ADD... and SWIM replied honestly, yes there was talk of putting SWIM on methylphenidate when he was very young but his mother decided against it. The doctor said he could give SWIM a few lorazepams in case of anxiety attacks, and if he wanted to try methylphenidate, or what he wanted to do. SWIM wanted the lorazepams, but said... You are the dr, i've no idea... whatever you think is best. So he sent swim on his way with a trial supply of 10mg twice daily (morning and afternoon).

Is this something that would be normal? I mean for someone with anxiety issues that might actually have ADD and be prescribed a stimulant. It should have a calming effect rather than a stimulant effect correct if in fact SWIM do have ADD? How would you be treated for both of these conditions at the same time? It seems like a remedy for one would aggravate the other condition.

Is any other SWIM out there in the same boat? Methylphenidate is the last substance in the world SWIM imagined he'd walk out of there with a script for.

[dukewizard1986]

It's normal. SWIM takes concerta for ADD and clonazepam for anxiety. The key is to take the stimulant in the morning if it has a lengthy duration and to take small amounts of the whatever benzodiazepene spread throughout the day to tackle the anxiety without retracting from the new stimulant based ability to focus. Stimulants will help those with ADHD & ADD to sit still and tune stuff out and the lorazepams should be relaxing. SWIM thinks that the phrase "calming effect" is a little misguided because it usually pertains to hyperactive types and for those with inattentive issues it may only work on concentration rather than be calming. SWIM feels that the downer/upper cocktail can erase anxiety and help concentration in the short term but that in the long run, both of the medications produce tolerance, nasty side effects, and dependence.

[tranquillike]

SWIM was told that 10mg twice daily was a very low dosage (the pills seem to be rather short acting, which is good!) However so far SWIM has found benefit from a single 10mg dose in the morning when class begins, but thus far has decided against taking his evening doses. Strangely enough, methylphenidate might actually be part of a solution for SWIM's academic situation. SWIM is an atypical university student in that he is quite a few years older than most (his first attempt at university began when he was 17 and he horribly messed it up.)

SWIM's productivity does not seem to correlate very strongly with his "partying" in the past, because SWIM no longer does many of the things he once did. These days SWIM doesn't really drink to excess, go to parties, take illegal drugs, or even really break the law in any way.

SWIM's grades have been either extremely high or very poor. For example when SWIM took no prescriptions or illegal drugs, didn't have a job, had only a single very simple course and failed it. It's like one semester SWIM will basically get straight A's and not just A's but typically the highest grade in class, set curbs for most exams that are curbed, etc... But, it's like the "all or nothing" principle appies for SWIM. Either very high A's or very poor grades.

Looking back... SWIM has been plagued with anxiety issues that will have a snowball effect and have destroyed semesters. Inability to remain focused have also caused problems. It seems as if the inability to focus is not constant, but when it occurs it often leads to states of high anxiety.

[Stuck]

SWIM always takes his xanax usually 1.5-2mg when he is taking strong stimulants. He recently ingested 10mg of methylphenidate with 1.5mg of xanax. The benzodiazepines seem to take the edge off.

[over1999]

DR just gave SWIM tenix to go with focalin.
It is not majic but it does help SWIM.