Generic Name: Ritalin for ADHD (methylphenidate)
"I'm 24 y.o male that self-diagnosed ADHD about 6 months ago. From as far back as I remember, I was restless, inattentive, depressed, and forgetful, but I didn't know what was wrong with me. I thought that everybody has a unique behavior and mind, and so this 'unusual type' is mine, and I should control it by myself! From childhood, I was the kid who study hard but gained little, who is forgetful, who is weak in math, who is lazy. Anyway, now I'm a medical student, and I found out that I have ADD after a long story. I told this to my attending physician, and he confirmed that I have ADD, then prescribed Ritalin 10mg per day and increased that to the dose of 10mg three times a day. The best word I can tell you about Ritalin for ADD patients is 'Miracle'. Now, for the first time in my life, I understand the meaning of being calm, being happy, being focused, being organized, and many other good 'being's'. It was a huge change in my life, and I'm happy for that. The side effects for me were very mild and went away with time, and I want to continue it."
"I've always known that I battled with either ADD or ADHD since childhood. I never bothered to get formally diagnosed, but if left untreated, it results in severe anxiety and depression. Due to this, I lost my job and realized that it was affecting the quality of life. I got assessed and diagnosed at the age of 43 with Adult ADHD - severe. I was really scared to take the Ritalin because of the bad reputation it has, but the difference was immediate. I feel calm, at peace, no more anxiety, can focus. It is life-changing. Side effects minimum. I think this med is demonized unnecessarily. I have my life back."
"35-year-old adult male, undiagnosed ADD my whole life, depression, and anxiety as well. This drug has completely turned me around. 20mg in the morning, 10mg in the afternoon. When on it, I don't feel high, just alive. I'm awake, alert, focused, and most importantly, out of my shell. I don't dread work, I welcome it, I hunger for tasks. I almost immediately go from insecure introvert to confident extrovert. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to function now without it. I refuse to abuse it, so I am very strict with my 30mg per day. When it wears off, I completely revert back to my old self."
"I am a 33-year-old male. After years of cycling through pretty much all antidepressants on the market, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclics, I was starting to get desperate and hopeless and ready to give up on my life. I was stoked to encounter a diligent psychiatrist who concluded that my suffering was caused by untreated ADHD. I have been prescribed Ritalin. This medication saved my career, my relationship, and my life in general. My mind is clear, my anxiety and depression are resolved. I am no longer hopeless about my future, and I finally managed to feel the joy of living. Compared to my experience with antidepressants, I feel very natural and 'myself'. I can experience a full range of emotions again. The side effects are minimal, especially compared to antidepressants. Looking in retrospect at my life and getting a bit more educated about ADHD, I have realized that all my past struggles made perfect sense - I was misdiagnosed and treated with wrong medications for a very long time."
"At 48 years old, I was diagnosed with severe ADHD/combined. I started on 10mg of generic Ritalin four days ago. This is the closest thing to a real miracle that I have ever experienced. For my ENTIRE LIFE, I believed that I suffered from major depression and social anxiety disorder. Every last thing in life was difficult. My memory was terrible - forgetting every single day what I was talking about mid-sentence, forgetting why I went into rooms, forgetting goals that I had set just a day or two prior. Years of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD left me with a nervous breakdown and unemployed (after a 23-year, very STRESSFUL, career as a public school teacher). I never thought I would ever work again. That was almost two years ago. Now that I am on the medication? 1) My anxiety is GONE. 2) My depression is GONE. 3) I can remember what I am doing - whether that be in a task I am performing or in a conversation that I am participating in. 4) I feel calm. AMAZING!"
"First off, it was horrible for me. I will never go back to Ritalin ever again. I was on 10mg of Ritalin and it lasted around 2 hours. It was the weirdest experience. I felt simultaneously euphoric, jittery and stimulated, but also lazy and just wanted to sleep (???). It did give me a strong boost of energy which lasted throughout the day. After 2 hours was when things got really bad. I guess this is the 'crash'. It made me horribly depressed, anxious, and filled with rage. The anxiety was so bad that every single thing I set eyes on would trigger me, like looking at the laundry basket filled with laundry. I also felt extremely anti-social and didn't want to talk to anyone, not even my husband. Finally towards the end of the night I would return to my normal self again, but you can imagine the emotional roller-coaster I experienced the entire day. I tried to brush it off and chalked it down to stress. But looking back now, I am 100% certain that it was all due to the Ritalin."
"39-year-old female that was first diagnosed in my early 20s, but I'd been being treated for anxiety for so long that I assumed it was a misdiagnosis. After a slew of failed benzos, every class of reuptake inhibitor, and a horrible experience with a low-dose antipsychotic, I accepted the ADHD diagnosis, and Ritalin is nothing like I feared it might be. 10mg 2x/daily doesn't give me energy or euphoria, it simply makes me more aware. I have better comprehension skills, move more deliberately, and I don't talk over people. I pay closer attention while driving, haven't even been pulled over for speeding since starting this medication (previously an almost monthly occurrence), I'm patient, and I sleep better. The only side effect I've experienced is drowsiness when it wears off, which is extremely inconvenient mid-day, but that's what calendar reminders are for. Combined with therapy, proper diet, and exercise, it allows me to be authentic with myself and others."
"39 years old. Battled with ADHD unknowingly my entire life. Turned to alcohol before getting diagnosed as this would help me deal with constantly being wired for sound! Unfortunately this also caused my liver enzymes to go out of whack. Stopped drinking, this led to depression which led to psychological treatment and ADHD was diagnosed. So gutted I have been so late to get diagnosed and get treatment. Ritalin has changed my life. I am focused and organized for the first time ever."
"My son has been taking Ritalin for around 6-8 months and the difference in him is just unbelievable. His school work has improved, his spelling and comprehension have gotten a lot better, and he has excelled in maths and can actually remember what he has learned. He socially gets along better with other children and is less destructive when in a group setting. I was very hesitant to put my son on meds but now realize I made the best choice for him."
"I have been taking Ritalin for 8 years. It worked great for the first 5 years. Then I switched to Vyvanse, which was a massive mistake and damaged my heart. So now I'm back on Ritalin for 2.5 years. My dosage at the beginning was 10-20 mg Ritalin per day. It increased over the years to 60-80 mg per day. But 2 years ago, something weird happened, and I became more sensitive to it again. So now I'm back at 20 mg per day, and it works great. Some side effects I experienced are tachycardia and slight dizziness in the evening. But I really have to say, this drug is a life-changer. Without it, I would have never been able to go to med school and become a doctor now."
"I'm in my mid 30s & was diagnosed with ADHD approx 4 months ago. I started on 10 mg 2x a day & am currently on 20 mg 3x a day. I tried Daytrana, the Ritalin patch, but it made me aggressive & hungry! In less than a month, I had gained 20 lbs. I'm back on the pill & so far I love it! I wish I had this back in school! Unfortunately, my mom wasn't a believer in ADHD. I am calmer, can think rationally vs. going straight off emotions, the racing thoughts have ceased & I can complete tasks I start now. It's also given me more motivation in my life. Before Ritalin, I was ready to give up on life & did nothing. I can now take care of responsibilities! My mood has even improved & my patience with my children & people in general has vastly improved."
"This medicine is incredible. I've had ADD for about 20 years, as long as I've been alive, and college has exacerbated the condition, so my neurologist prescribed Ritalin to me. This starts to wear off after about 2.5-3.0 hours, but it works absolute miracles. The whole time before, whenever I tried to work, it was like I was seeing the world through warped glasses and my mind was just foggy, like it was full of ice and cotton, but now the entire world is beautifully, wonderfully clear! This is truly an amazing medicine, but be sure to follow your doctor's orders with it, as it can have side effects."
"22, Male, ADD, Anxiety disorder. Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is amazing. However, there's a catch: it enhances focus but does not direct your focus towards a subject that you're not interested in. I experience extreme euphoria, confidence, and optimism for about 1 hour (it builds up gradually, peaking at the 2-hour mark with 10mg). If you use this daily, tolerance builds up quickly after every 2 weeks (for me). When I stop taking it, I feel depressed for days but it will wear off as 'naturally occurring chemicals' reach equilibrium again. I suggest cycling it according to your productive days: 3-4 days a week and the rest off (avoiding tolerance and dependence). It enhances your current focus, so start working/studying for 15-30 minutes THEN take it. I've researched the most irrelevant topics which excite me the most for hours, only to find that within 30 minutes the Ritalin's effects are going to wear off."
"I'm a 47-year-old female and I was diagnosed with ADD and a few other illnesses after my only child was murdered. I am on 20mg three times a day. I have found that Ritalin works the best for me in staying focused and keeping my head together, not all over the place. It's not a 100% cure-all, but I can tell a difference for the good. The only bad experience I had was when I ran out and didn't have them for three days, it caused me to go through withdrawal. That wasn't a pleasant experience, so I make sure I fill them on time and take them like I'm supposed to."
"I’m a female (I think ADHD affects us a little differently), and I was diagnosed 4 months ago at the age of 26. I always kind of knew I had ADHD, although I was always a good, quiet kid, so that bit didn't add up. I now take 15 mg of Ritalin in the morning and 10 mg in the afternoon. I haven’t noticed any “life-changing” things, although I am so much more talkative and confident, as if my social anxiety is gone. My head is also a lot quieter. I have energy to do things now, but this is all so exciting I end up doing the wrong things (finally buying new clothes instead of my uni work)."
"I'm a mid-fifties male that recently started taking Ritalin. I've been on it for about 3 months now and really like the changes. The ability to stay on task is amazing. I take the immediate release 2x per day (10mg/pill). It takes about 30 minutes for the effects to kick in, but it is subtle. Each dosage lasts about 4 hours. I take the first pill around 8:00 am and the second at 1:00 pm. I take it Monday - Friday, and sometimes on weekends, if I have a project I'd really like to get completed. At this point, I haven't experienced any noticeable side effects. Yes, it does kill your appetite during the 4-hour cycle, but it does return quickly thereafter. For anyone looking for the best vitamin/supplement for improved productivity due to ADHD, just go to your doctor and take something that's proven effective and regulated by the FDA."
"I was diagnosed with severe ADHD - inattentive type, and Ritalin literally is the difference in me getting through my To-Do list or just wondering what in the world I have been doing all day. Over the years, I have run across multiple medical professionals who will not prescribe this medication. Like an idiot, I listened to them and tried other medications. ALL of these medications had worse side effects and did NOTHING to correct my ADHD. They tried all of the non-stimulant medications and Bupropion HCL - none worked and several had VERY bad side effects. Medical professionals who refuse to listen to their patients should lose their license to practice. You are messing with people's lives here, people! The worst side effects I had with Ritalin were appetite suppression and mild anxiety, specifically if I drank too much coffee with the medication. This is over a period of 15 years on the medication."
"30, female, ADD, 95 lbs. Just to share what I have experienced for starting on Ritalin (5 mg) today for the very first time. I did not feel anything on the first pill (at 1:10 pm) and I took the second one around 7 hours later (around 7:50 pm). The second one kicked in around 2 hours later. I was alert and could stay patient at one task before jumping onto the next one. I also felt talkative, so I responded to a couple of emails efficiently (it usually takes me a while to draft an email) and got on social media to greet friends (I do not chat on social media much, I am never good at keeping in touch with people). It was until 4 am and I felt my body needed rest, but my brain was still alert. I put myself to sleep, but then I woke up with a fast heart rate just 1 hour and 10 minutes later. At this moment, I finally feel it is wearing off as I am typing. I know this because it has taken me 20 minutes so far to write this comment - I am reverting to the attention-deficient and anxious myself."
"I have ADHD, and today was my first day on Ritalin, and it sucked! The effects lasted for an hour, and when it did work, I felt like a zombie and didn't want to move. It also made me tired and kind of sensitive to sound. And, it didn't even make me feel focused, so really, what's the point?"
"I love Ritalin. I have a wonderful peace that I never had before. I am 61 years old and have just started taking it for the last few weeks. I can actually concentrate now. I am not so fidgety. I wish I had this about 55 years ago. One thing I noticed, I am dreaming where I don't remember dreaming in years."
"(F35) Like many others, I went through many different antidepressants and mood stabilizers, even EMT, and nothing would help me with depression, lack of attention, and energy. When I was finally diagnosed with ADD, I was worried because I am bipolar, that the medicine would make me hypomanic, but quite the opposite, it makes me relax and focus. I don't need to spend the afternoon in bed like I used to. I can finally go back to work full-time. For me, it's best to not take it in the morning when I am more fresh, and wait until I have the afternoon crash that happens between 12 and 2. I try to do a single dose of 10 mg, unless I have to work after 5, in that case, I take the second. I also try to take it only 3 or 4 days a week to avoid tolerance and becoming too dependent. It does increase my anxiety a bit at night, but nothing too serious."
"I had ADHD for many years. It already saved my life. Clarity, concentration, memory, work, focus, I stopped drinking, began to work, be stable, organized, serious, focused, had good work, and could pay my bills. A month ago a doctor I didn't know removed my life saver saying I didn't have ADHD and never had... which is false, multiple doctors in the past have confirmed I have ADHD. This random doctor ruined my life. I'm not functional, have apathy, anhedonia, memory loss, depression, can't drive, can't concentrate, can't focus, trouble paying things, narcolepsy, feel depressed, cant work, cant find initiative. I look forward to finding my Ritalin back. Depression sucks. Just need it to live. It was my lifesaver. Good luck."
"I'm 54 years old and recently started taking 10 mg once a day, 5 times a week (usually weekdays). After years of talking about projects and ideas, it is now quite easy to get and stay on task. It's not like I didn't get things done before, but now I am motivated to complete tasks. In the past, most projects that required any substantial amount of time to complete would immediately be put on the back burner. Now I feel motivated to see them through. In the past, I would self-medicate with large amounts of coffee, but that only lasted for so long. Now, I have switched to decaf and take medication once I get to the office. My dosage is minimal at this point and I have a follow-up to see where I'm at in regard to possibly changing the dosage in a couple of weeks. With my dosage (immediate release), I can tell the medication is kicking in as I start to feel warmer. That takes about 30 minutes. As others have stated, this dosage lasts about 4-5 hours. So far, so good."
"I have been on Ritalin for 5 months now and it works great for my ADHD. I wish I would have been on it when I was in high school, maybe I would have finished high school. I am 25 years old and I'm going for my G.E.D. so I can go to college. I am so happy now, I can concentrate and do things that I was never able to do. The only con is that it is not lasting as long as it did when I first got on it. I really believe Ritalin saved my life."
"I'm a 56-year-old male. 87 kg. Recently diagnosed with ADHD as I'm easily distracted & can't concentrate easily. I'm in good health and successful & don't get depressed. Unfortunately, Ritalin has NO effect on me at all. I have no feeling of it coming on or wearing off. All I get is a dry mouth at higher doses. I began fast release 10 mg @ 8 am & 10 mg @ 1 pm. Then upped to 20 mg am & 20 mg pm. Then 30 & 30. Nothing. No effect or change in how I feel. Then tried slow release SR 40 mg am & 40 mg arvo. Still nothing. Then tried 20 mg fast with 40 mg SR in the morning. But was distracted on the phone & mistakenly took the same dose 15 min later. So 120 mg in one hit. I expected to have heart racing & some sort of 'buzz', but NOTHING. Very disappointing. Would like to try Adderall or similar."
Concerta, Jornay PM, QuilliChew ER, Quillivant XR, ... +8 more
Concerta, Jornay PM, QuilliChew ER, Quillivant XR, ... +8 more
