Seeking Medical Insight on My Husband's Adderall Use and Behavioral Changes
I’m reaching out regarding my husband, who is 32 years old, stands 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs around 235 pounds. Approximately two years ago, he was diagnosed with ADHD and subsequently prescribed medication. His current regimen includes: - Adderall XR at a dosage of 30 mg in the morning, taken twice. - Adderall at 20 mg in the afternoon, also taken twice. This amounts to a daily total of 100 mg of Adderall. While I am not a medical professional, my research indicates that this could be an excessive dosage. When I confront him about my concerns, he often mentions that children might receive similar amounts and insists that his doctor has sanctioned his treatment plan. Since he began this medication, I have observed several concerning changes: - A marked emotional detachment from both me and our children. Although he communicates with them, he no longer engages fully in family life. - An increase in anger and irritability, which seems to have intensified with the medication. - He appears to have delusions or irrational beliefs that he seems to act upon. - A decline in personal grooming and self-care; he hasn’t gotten a haircut in over a year, giving him an untidy appearance. - He frequently links his anger and issues back to me, despite these problems becoming more noticeable as his medication dosage increased. Additionally, he has been experiencing erectile dysfunction for the last two years, which I suspect could be connected to the medication, although he attributes this issue to me. I am genuinely concerned about his mental health and overall well-being. **I have several important questions:** 1. Is this dosage considered unusually high for someone of his age and weight? 2. Can Adderall at this dosage lead to symptoms such as emotional detachment, hostility, delusions, neglect of personal hygiene, and sexual dysfunction? 3. Are these behavioral changes likely to stem from the medication rather than being inherent personality traits? I would deeply appreciate any insights from healthcare professionals. Am I possibly overreacting, or could these issues genuinely relate to his medication regimen? Thank you for your assistance.
Answers (1)
2/8/2026, 1:30:31 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to be concerned about your husband's well-being, especially when you're observing significant changes in his behavior and emotional state. Let's break down your questions to provide clear insights.
Main Points:
- His current Adderall dosage may be considered high.
- Yes, this dosage can lead to the behavioral changes you describe.
- Many of these behavioral changes could be related to the medication.
Explanation:
-
Dosage Concerns: For adults with ADHD, the typical maximum prescribed dose of amphetamine-based medications like Adderall (which includes Adderall XR) is usually around 60 mg per day, but it can vary. The total of 100 mg your husband is taking does exceed common guidelines and can lead to increased side effects.
-
Potential Side Effects: With a high dose of Adderall, some users experience:
- Emotional Detachment & Irritability: Stimulants can impact mood regulation and increase irritability. This can lead to disengagement from family life.
- Delusions or Irrational Beliefs: High doses may affect perception and lead to unusual thoughts or beliefs.
- Neglect of Personal Hygiene: Some individuals may lose motivation for self-care while on stimulants.
- Sexual Dysfunction: This medication can also contribute to erectile dysfunction in some men.
-
Inherent Personality vs. Medication Impact: While individual personality traits do play a role in behavior, the significant behavioral changes you're noticing align more closely with the medication's potential side effects rather than being solely inherent characteristics.
Next Steps:
-
Daily Monitoring: Document his behaviors, feelings, and any changes you observe with the medication. This timeline can be very helpful in discussing the situation later.
-
Discuss Your Concerns: Approach your husband gently and share observations without blame. Use "I" statements, like "I've noticed you're not as engaged with the kids lately, and I'm worried," to foster an open conversation.
-
Encourage a Talk with His Doctor: Suggest that he consults his healthcare provider about his current dosage and symptoms. This could lead to a reassessment of his treatment, which is important given the behaviors you’re witnessing.
-
Seek Support for Yourself: Consider talking to a mental health professional or support group for yourself to navigate this challenging situation. It’s important that you have support as you cope with these changes.
Your concerns are valid, and addressing this situation with compassion and care will be beneficial for both you and your husband. Let me know if you need further information or support.
Related Questions
Persistent Low-Grade Fever Accompanied by Chills and Fatigue for Nearly a Month
As a 32-year-old male weighing 160 pounds at a height of 6'1", I’ve been experiencing intermittent low-grade fevers since the second week of January. Over the past few weeks, the chills have become more distressing than the actual fever; I feel intensely cold. The only relief I find is from taking either ibuprofen or Tylenol, which allows me to resume normal activities. Unfortunately, my doctor is puzzled since I don’t show any other symptoms. I’m not experiencing any pain, discomfort, digestive issues, or loss of appetite, and there are no rashes to highlight. My lymph nodes remain soft and not swollen, and I haven’t had headaches or weight loss. I’m at a loss regarding the cause of these symptoms. This situation is reminiscent of an incident last August following a stomach virus, where prolonged lack of food led to anemia, explaining the cold sensations and fatigue then. While I usually hover around borderline anemia, my doctor suspects there might be a viral or post-viral factor at play this time. Moreover, I’ve been under significant stress, and my apartment is quite warm, averaging 78°F and extremely dry, contributing to nightly bouts of overheating. Oddly enough, I now find a peculiar appreciation for the chills when they come. I’m perplexed and truly hope this isn’t anything serious. Just two months ago, I had my thyroid levels checked, so that seems unlikely to be the issue. My doctor has ordered blood tests but seems skeptical about discovering any actionable results, as she believes it is likely just lingering aftereffects of a virus or potentially consecutive viral infections. It’s becoming quite bothersome and frustrating to rely on ibuprofen merely to function. Typically, I take two regular strength pills at noon and another two around 9 PM, effectively keeping the symptoms at bay. I manage to feel well throughout the night and into the mornings. Interestingly, the cold sensations always strike at noon, precisely. Please be kind, as I tend to have health anxiety!
Am I Anemic After All These Years?
As I lay on my couch catching up on an episode of The Strain—a show I genuinely enjoy—I find myself indulging in a peculiar habit of chewing ice. It's something I've found oddly satisfying for as long as I can remember. Suddenly, a thought strikes me: "Is this a common habit? I should probably check with the experts online." Without delay, I turn to Google, typing in: "I love chewing ice. Is anyone else like this?" What I find is intriguing. Ignoring the oddities of certain forums, many reputable sources agree that the act of chewing ice may indicate anemia. This discovery prompts some serious self-reflection. Could it be that I am anemic? I begin to consider the clues—years of consistent fatigue, which seems to worsen with age. There are mornings when I feel so drained that leaving my bed feels impossible. Not to mention the persistent brain fog. In my middle school days, I even had this strange urge to chew on pencil lead, and I recall once sampling clay from the walls of our old gymnasium. I’ve decided to get a blood test done with my doctor at work. In the meantime, I’m reaching out to you all—am I just an eccentric person with quirky cravings, or could I have been grappling with anemia, or at least iron deficiency, since my childhood? Best wishes.
Understanding When Heart Palpitations Are Considered Normal
As a 32-year-old female, I can recall experiencing occasional heart palpitations that triggered coughing, usually once a year since I was a child. Recently, however, I’ve noticed a significant change. Over the past couple of months, these palpitations have become more frequent, particularly when I transition between positions like reclining and standing. Just a month ago, I would feel only one or two flutters, but now it seems to occur throughout the day after being triggered. For instance, after my hairdresser reclined me to wash my hair at around 4 PM, I’ve been experiencing these flutters and coughing on and off since about 7 PM. I suspect this might be linked to the timing of my tirzepatide injections, as it tends to happen around the peak day when my caloric intake drops quite significantly. Additionally, I’ve noticed that I sometimes experience presyncope when standing up too quickly, although I haven’t encountered any dizziness or changes in my vision. When lying down, my pulse may rise briefly, but it could just be my imagination playing tricks on me. I also deal with fluctuations of 5 to 7 pounds in water weight weekly, which I’m currently monitoring through a careful diet to minimize. My daily medications include mirabegron, trileptal, and amitriptyline, alongside tirzepatide at a dose of 7.5 mg every three to four weeks to help with maintenance and reduce food-related noise. At my current height of 5'4" and weight of 107 pounds, I’ve started strength training while keeping my caloric intake around 1440 calories daily. My primary care provider regularly performs EKGs and has mentioned that the palpitations could be due to vagus nerve irritation, reassuring me that it isn’t a cause for major concern. He has also evaluated intermittent calf pain in my left leg, which improved when I stopped wearing high heels. However, I can’t shake the feeling that the left calf appears slightly more purplish than the right, but I question whether I am just imagining this difference, as I can only discern it in the shower. I’m reaching out here as I’ve been told previously that I’m alright, and the emergency department is quite crowded at the moment. As a rehab physician, I’m sharing what I know from a general perspective about the body, though I’m not sure how relevant that is to my situation. While I plan to seek help at around 2 AM, I would appreciate any insights that might help alleviate my stress and anxiety in the meantime. What are your thoughts?
Elevated Free Testosterone and Mood Fluctuations
At 19 years of age, standing 5'11" and weighing 192 lbs, I lead a lifestyle free from smoking and alcohol consumption. Currently, I am not on any medications and have no known health concerns. Recently, I underwent a blood test, prompted by my ongoing struggles with mood swings, to investigate the possibility that these fluctuations might be linked to my testosterone levels. The results revealed a total testosterone reading of 5.25, which falls within the normal range of 2.8 to 8. However, my free testosterone level was significantly elevated at 35, where the normal range is typically from 3.6 to 25. This finding raises questions about whether it could be causing my mood-related issues.
Seeking Guidance for Health Issues
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out in hopes that someone here can offer some guidance. I'm a 34-year-old woman who neither smokes, drinks alcohol, nor has a history of drug use. For more than a year now, I’ve experienced a range of troubling symptoms. My heart rate unexpectedly plunges to alarming lows (as low as 39 beats per minute) and rapidly escalates to highs in the 190s, often leaving me feeling faint or as if I might suffer a heart attack. Alongside this, I endure severe pain in my neck and debilitating pressure in my ears that seems persistent. I have sought help from both an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) and a cardiologist, but the latter is puzzled. My echocardiogram and EKG indicated a normal sinus rhythm, with the echo appearing normal as well. On the other hand, my ENT has stated that my ears are fine. These episodes are occurring with increasing frequency, and honestly, it frightens me. I experience dizziness and have been diagnosed with dysautonomia, yet the root cause remains unclear. As a mother, I worry about my health and the possibility of something serious happening. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. Who else should I consult? Are there particular specialists I should consider? Have any of you encountered similar issues? Your advice would mean a lot to me.