taf0100 Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 I'm not on adderall. Someone I care for is. After a year and a half, they have come off the medication. They came off by reducing the amount, then 10 days ago stopped. At first, they were bubbly, happy, full of life. Gradually, anger, depression, negativity and the inability to either deal with life and people became the norm. Through it all, an almost robotic personality that simply got things done, with no happiness, became it. So, does this serious personality change actually happen with adderall? And, if so, how long before the personality traits are restored. They never abused it, just took the 30mg prescription every day. And my big fear: could this personality change be permanent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Hi taf0100, From my experience Adderall gradually changes your personality. The best description I've heard is that it's a slow suicide to your soul. I've been trying to quit adderall for about a month in a half after being on adderall for 5 years. At first I weened my self off, and eventually went off cold turkey. I started feeling my old personality traits return rather quickly, but it comes and goes in waves. My mood is so sporadic that it's hard to function. I've been fully off adderall for 16 days, and I I can literally feel my brain chemistry repairing itself in my head. I'm hoping that I will be back to my old self in a couple of months or so. I've been exercising 6 days a week, and I'm eating very healthy. I find that little caffeine goes a long a way and definitely helps my mind stay on an even keel. Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meghan Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Good to know it gets better I am only on third day and I woke up feeling awful. And I can get my script tomorrow but I don't want to fill it. I totally am on same page as you I miss my self nobody cares about the stuff I care about on adderall like how clean my house is oh and at work..forget about it I was a waitress for years literally running over other girls to get my work done. Did you ween yourself off I thought I read that do you think that method worked well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taf0100 Posted October 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2012 Scottie, that's exactly what happened. When she started to take the medication, I noticed she was a bit 'different'. 90 days after she was on adderall, I approached her and said "you seem like your not yourself, like your capacity to be happy is gone". That made her furious, and the slow slide into hell began. At 14 days without adderall her anger and anxiety seem to have been reduced. We have had some actual good days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle_Chaos Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I don't know how it is for everyone, but I'm definitely starting to return to my old self.. Your personality is based on your influences and family, and everything around you..if that stays the same, then eventually you'll regain who you were. (at least I am) A little damage to the dopamine receptors isn't going to ruin you forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taf0100 Posted October 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 Kyle_Chaos, how long have you been off Adderall? She has been off for 17 days. She says she doesn't feel really any different. Before adderall she had a happy, fun personality. Now she is an emotionless robot who just cares about getting things perfect. When things are perfect, she complains about how long it took. there is never any fun in the world, just work and getting that work done. She never abused, but was on for about 2 years. She cut down and finally went off. I have noticed some reduced anger and anxiety, but not the happy personality she used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle_Chaos Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 Around two months. I'm a believer that people nearly always return to normal (or the new "normal" isn't that much different from the old one) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taf0100 Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Almost 50 days off adderall and things are significantly better. But her interest in spending time with me is not there. It's like a depression but not... lots of sleeping, little motivation (I'm very supportive), and not really communicating with others yet. Still anti-social in a way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley6 Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Taf0100, 50 days is not long off of adderall. Generally the personality comes back pretty quickly, but it's sporadic, and only comes in waves that early....for me it was that way. It took a good 3-4 months to have my "normal" disposition back, because I was so tired and just felt, weird, is the best way I can describe it. I was an abuser, taking about 3 times what she was, so I'm not sure it will take that long for her. I just wanted to give you a female's perspective and don't be alarmed if it takes some time. I think you have a lot to be optimistic about here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taf0100 Posted November 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Ashley6, thanks for posting back. I apprecaite the optimism. Maybe it's just time, and she is doing better. When you were on the medication, did you lose your affection for your significant other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashley6 Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 I absolutely lost my affectionate side. I became a cold, unaffectionate zombie that didn't have time to show love and affection. I'm quite the opposite now. It will come back 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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