I Was Misdiagnosed with ADHD. I am Worried That Adderall Caused Brain Damage?

Two years ago I was diagnosed with ADHD. However, I now know I DO NOT have ADHD but rather anxiety. I had been taking 10 mg of adderall XR for about 6 months and then later 30 mg of adderall XR.

Do you think this caused damage to my brain?

Hi Rita -

I wouldn't be too concerned about this - for many reasons. First off, I am sorry to hear that you have been misdiagnosed with ADHD. It happens quite often, or rather can happen, simply because the symptoms of ADHD are rather quite common and found in many other conditions, including anxiety.

I don't know if you know this, but ADHD and anxiety tend to "co-exist" quite often. ADHD is a very complex condition to treat - because it rarely tends to exist alone. In many cases, a person with ADHD will also be affected by anxiety, panic, depression, and a whole list of other conditions...

I'm sharing this with you, because your question was about Adderall and whether or not it causes brain damage. By the way, this is very unlikely to occur from taking Adderall. This medication is a stimulant, and helps the brain with focus, attention, concentration, time management, organization, and more...

Also, because ADHD exists with so many other conditions (like anxiety), it is then likely that other people have been treated with Adderall who have ADHD and anxiety...

Now...the next tricky part comes figuring out whether or not the person struggles more with ADHD or anxiety. I know this is more information than what you are looking for, but I thought it might be helpful.

All the best,

Rory

Rory F. Stern, PsyD
ADHD Coach & "Former" Therapist
http://www.adhdsuccessaudio.com

No, Adderall would be taken off the market if it caused brain damage. However, Adderall was pulled off the market once because it was doing heart valve damage. And Adderall is fairly new on the market. Unlike Ritlan which has been on the market for over 20 years. What you may be experiencing is side effects, and your body getting rid of the chemicals...and I believe Adderall and Ritlan and drugs like that actually induce and increase anxiety and hyperactivity in individuals that are not ADD or ADHD...and also the drugs mentioned are also sometimes over-used when an individual may be depressed instead, etc.

lol, you hypochondriac!