[Empathy]

I never knew that it causes this, and it boggles my mind. Last year I spent a long time dealing with the "lack of empathy" feeling. Ever since I was a child, I had always been full of natural overflowing compassion for all life. The Adderall took away the natural feeling of being able to feel a more direct form of compassion. This just motivates me more to drop the pill bottle and face the truth of who I am in the mirror, because the fact is that this pill has covered up more than just my insecurities - but the redeeming parts of me too.

I kind of wish I was that way, I've never had much empathy for anyone.. I've always had to fake it.

[Eglin AFB area FL]

If anyone is in this area and would like to meet up, it would be nice to meet someone going through the same struggle about now

['Why We All Need to Get Off Adderall' article]

Interesting..

I get annoyed that ANY time someone posts about their stuggles with addiction, SOMEONE has to come in and say "you know it's possible for people to take it normally!"..well no shit.. good job wasting your time.

[Questions about ADHD being worse in recovery..]

Thanks, I loved reading that there is hope..

I mean, I've returned to being "me" in a sense..

I'm just a little more high strung than I used to be and I feel a little foggy..it's just great to hear that I have nothing but positive things to look forward to.

[Empathy]

This is the worst part about Adderall for me. I strongly value empathy and have long considered my natural ability to *feel* other peoples feelings and innately respond in a helpful, win-win manner as a core part of my self-image.

Adderall turns everything into a "task"; I've found myself being uncharacteristically detached / amoral / emotionally manipulative. Relationships rapidly deteriorate into win-lose "contests" when things aren't going my way (and I'm naturally non-competetive!).

...and then you crash, hard, and all of a sudden your arrogant haughtiness flips into frightening neediness, and the poor person you're dealing with either 1) doesn't know what the fuck to think, 2) considers you a delusional narcissist, and/or 3) recognizes the tell-tale signs of amphetamine (ab)use.

I've ruined two potentially awesome romantic entanglements *very quickly* via the above cycle within the past year. Friends, co-workers, family might let you skirt by with some degree of incongruence. But don't expect much by the way of true intimacy.

Well said and I agree completely,

It's actually impossible to fall in love while abusing/probably normal use of adderall. Being in love and attachment is actually caused by the increase and effect of dopamine, you can't feel that if it's all drained.

[Generation RX documentary]

I just got netflix the other day, I'll def. check it out tonight..

Sounds like one of the few things that could hold my interest at this point.

[Questions about ADHD being worse in recovery..]

Hi,

I've been off the poison for a good three weeks, and it seems as though my ADHD is worse..

ANYTIME I try to sit and play a game/watch a movie/any activity.. I just fidged around and can't focus worth anything..

I was abusing the stuff pretty heavily..and I just wanted to ask people who have been clean for a good 6 months-a year or more if they had any of these symptoms early in recovery and if they got better later on.

No, I don't plan to go back on the stuff if the problem didn't get better for any of you..

I'll cope and find a way to deal..

Thanks