Depression/anxiety caused by Ritalin?

Hi all, first of all please excuse me if my question seems frivolous compared to more serious issues on this forum.

I have a friend who takes Methylphenidate for his ADHD condition, and when I found out about it I asked him for a few tablets to try it out. Turns out I really like it.

So for the last year, I have been taking it on weekends, maybe 2-3 times a month, 40-60mg at a time. Love the high, gets me focused and euphoric. The next day I don't have much of a hangover, but the last few times I took it, I have been noticing a considerable effect on my depression and anxiety for longer periods of time.

Meaning the 5-7 days that follow, I feel really sad and apathic. I work freelance and I am having trouble finding motivation to work, which usually doesn't happen. Also can feel increased aggressivity.

I have had mild depression/anxiety for a long time, and usually can manage it pretty well. But in the week following taking Methylphenidate I can really feel the apathy, lack of focus, lack of motivation, and overall shittiness lol.

I sometimes have moodswings but not so long and "ugly". It has taken me a pretty long time to identify that this might be the cause.

Can anyone confirm this as a possibility? In which case I would stop taking it altogether?

Thanks

ouch. Truth hurts Wise words though. I am sure they will come back to me in the future

What I find weird is the duration of these hangovers. When I was younger I used to take cocaine or speed on weekends and the hagovers were often bad but the duration was never over 2 days. Do you hangovers getting longer can be due to doing it periodically (or sporadically I guess)?

Congratulations on your 3 months sounds like a big milestone

Yes thank you I have been noticing that I make up excuses to go have a coffee with this friend more often than before. He lives 10 miles away though, if he lived closer to me I am sure this could quickly become a bigger problem.

Yes thank you I already decided I will.


Thank you guys for the explanation and advice.

I have a prescription for Ritalin and I avoid taking at all costs. I get ten tablets to last for weeks. And I won't even take that many.
I have epilepsy so if I have to work and cannot get off and must stay awake I will take a piece of one but these very symptoms you just described I feel just from my small dose if I take it more than once a week.
Its a seriously strong drug my friend. Stay away from it.

I should also add that I was prescribed this ONLY because I hate amphetamines...they make me all kinds of jittery. So for me personally there really isn't a high risk for abuse.
But I have known people to literally lose everything over this just like I did on heroin. Its no joke. Its a life changing decision here.

I was on Ritalin for 12 years and then depression took over with it and it has nearly destroyed my life....my advice quit and quit now it only gets worse

After trying to get a doctors appointment for several weeks with no luck, i gave up and decided to go online to buy the drug i wanted . Since then I've been buying meds through Canadian Pharmacy Online

I don’t even see how this is a question. You are feeding your body with Methylphenidate. It is a drug for ADHD. For one who doesn’t have this illness, it had other side effects, like depression and anxiety. My advice is not to play with it. Both anxiety and depression are serious and affecting illnesses that strongly impact oneself. I had it for years, and the only way I could overcome it was with https://www.andalahealth.com/condition/treatment-resistant-depression/. Consult with a doctor for your situation and never drink pills not prescribed to you. It can cause damage.

Please think about stopping the use of Methylphenidate and consult a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and the best treatment for your situation.

Methylphenidate is a medication intended to treat ADHD and is not meant to be used casually for its side effects. The symptoms you're describing could very well be associated with its misuse, especially considering you're experiencing depression and anxiety afterward.
If you're going through a tough time emotionally, it might be a good idea to speak to a professional about it. You mentioned that you've been dealing with depression and anxiety for a while; these are issues that really should be addressed in a medical context. Mental Health Hotline - 866-903-3787 can be a good resource to get you started on seeking professional help.