Posted by bleauberry on July 30, 2010, at 18:37:23
In reply to Anyone use Ritalin for depression???, posted by Sendow on July 29, 2010, at 16:40:21
Interesting question. I've been thinking the same thing. Ritalin has usually helped me feel better as an emergency med, but I think it really needs to be in combo with ssri. Studies I have been reading suggest it enhances all of the neurotransmitters when combined with ssri. It is an antidepressant of choice with some doctors, either alone or with ssris, for elderly frail patients. In ADD and ADHD, there is usually an improvement of mood with ritalin as a side effect. There is the possibility of it worsening depression, but that can happen with any and all meds.
Over the years there have been quite a few people here that found ritalin either somewhat helpful or extremely helpful. In all of those cases it was in combination with an ssri, usually prozac, zoloft, or lexapro.
Since the combination of ssri plus tca is usually better than either alone, I would think ritalin would be a good substitute for the tca in such a combination. You get all the dopamine enhancemenet, norepinephrine enhancement, and serotonin enhancement, except without all the anticholinergic side effects.
Tolerability is an issue. Some people find a steady dose that keeps working over time, others need to keep raising it to a high dose, and others get poopout no matter what.
In comparison with heavy hitters like antipsychotics and tcas, I see ritalin as a rather tame player in comparison to them and with a lot of potential benefit.
Of course, mileage varies and you never know till you try. All the studies in the world and opinions from other people mean nothing until you see what the drug does for you personally.
poster:bleauberry
thread:956349
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100720/msgs/956500.html