Adderall has a boxed warning, the most serious type of warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Adderall’s active ingredient (amphetamines) has a risk of misuse (abuse) which can lead to dependence, serious heart conditions, and even sudden death. Adderall is also a controlled substance, indicating its high potential for misuse or dependence. Specific federal and state laws limit the amount of this medication that can be prescribed or dispensed within a certain period of time.
Highlights
- Adderall is a common medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, and while it has many positive benefits, it can also cause temporary personality changes.
- Adderall can lead to noticeable differences in your mood and your outlook on life.
- Long-term use of Adderall can cause your brain chemistry to change, possibly leading to tolerance or even Adderall addiction. You can become less sensitive to the medication over time, which means the same effect is achieved only with higher doses.
- To use Adderall safely and avoid substance abuse, always use it under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
Adderall is a medication that stimulates the central nervous system (CNS) and is most often prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s known for helping people with ADHD to focus and increase their productivity and attention span, but Adderall can also affect emotions and feelings of well-being. Some people taking Adderall experience personality changes such as depression symptoms, mood swings, anxiety, and irritability. Also, Adderall should be used carefully because it is a
Let’s learn more about the reasons for such effects and how to cope or prevent them.
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Adderall is a combination of two main ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. There are regular and extended-release Adderall formulations, both available in the pill form. A healthcare provider chooses the most suitable version and dosage based on your particular ADHD symptoms and other factors, but it’s still important to monitor your individual response to ADHD medication.
Prescription stimulants like Adderall work by making changes to your brain chemistry, specifically by influencing how the chemicals dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine work in your brain. Because Adderall affects the activity of these brain chemicals, sometimes people notice certain personality changes while taking the medication.
Does Adderall Change Your Personality?
Adderall can affect your personality, including your mood and your outlook on life. Although not everyone experiences these effects, Adderall can cause both positive and negative personality changes. They often include increased focus and attention span, as intended, but there might also be irritability, anger, mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
Whether Adderall will affect your personality will depend on many different factors, including the dosage, other health conditions you may have, your own psychology, and your genetics. Any Adderall-induced personality changes are not permanent and will stop after you quit taking the medication. If you have concerns about possible personality changes with Adderall use, our team at MEDvidi can help you find answers to your questions: book an appointment for online ADHD treatment to see a licensed medical provider in 24 hours.
Adderall Effects on Personality
It’s important to remember that everyone will have a different response to Adderall, and this may include various effects on personality. In many people, this medication can cause
Short-Term Side Effects of Adderall
In the short term, Adderall can cause both positive changes and negative side effects related to your central nervous system and your mood. These changes should stop when you discontinue Adderall.
The positive changes you may notice with Adderall may include:
- Increased attention span
- Increased focus
- Improved ability to organize tasks
- Better impulse control
- Decreased hyperactivity
- Feeling more calm and alert
Side effects of Adderall may include, but are not limited to:
- Feelings of overstimulation
- Restlessness or irritability
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Tremors in hands, feet, or legs
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Rarely, psychotic episodes
- Movement disorders
- Feelings of anger, rage, or aggressiveness
- Decreased appetite
Feelings of euphoria, or intense excitement, may also be a side effect. Adderall, especially when misused, can give you a distorted sense of well-being. This may happen when dopamine levels rise, and the feeling can become addictive. If you have concerns about any of the side effects of Adderall or experience them, consult with your healthcare provider.
Some patients, particularly those who have a personal or family history of mental disorders, may experience negative psychological side effects from taking Adderall. However, a 2019 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that participants who used Adderall to treat ADHD had a very small risk of new-onset psychosis; just 1 in 660 people.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes warnings about Adderall and negative psychiatric problems on the
Long-Term Adderall Side Effects
Studies looking at the long-term use of Adderall have not been done yet, so prolonged side effects are still unclear. For now, it is thought that long-term side effects of Adderall may include loss of appetite, weight loss, chronic headaches, digestive problems, and personality changes.
The biggest risk in taking Adderall to treat ADHD for a long period of time is developing a tolerance to the medication. Using Adderall long-term means the dopamine in your brain chemistry is continuously altered, which can make it difficult to experience pleasure from normal activities without the use of substances such as Adderall. Ongoing exposure to this medication can change your brain chemistry by increasing your tolerance to your brain’s own supply of dopamine, meaning your brain becomes less sensitive to it.
This means that there is a risk of becoming so used to large amounts of dopamine, that your brain’s normal amount of dopamine will not feel sufficient to you anymore.
In addition to losing your sensitivity to Adderall over time, another risk of long-term use is becoming dependent on Adderall. This may increase the risk of withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the medication, for example: depression, fatigue, medication cravings, anxiety, irritability, and even suicidal ideation. Becoming addicted to Adderall can also lead to changes in your personality, such as feeling an intense desire to take the medication and continuing its use even if it interferes with relationships or lifestyle.
If you think you may be experiencing a substance use problem, consider seeking professional support. You can contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential 24/7 assistance (toll-free). If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
How to Avoid Negative Personality Effects From Adderall
Since the response to any medication is personalized, it’s difficult to say what you should do to completely avoid Adderall effects on personality; however, it’s possible to decrease the risks of such effects — primarily, by only taking it under the guidance of a medical professional and following all their instructions. People without ADHD who use Adderall without a prescription are more likely to have serious side effects than those who have been diagnosed and got Adderall legally prescribed.
It is also important to only take the dose that is prescribed for you by your personal physician. A 2024 study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that symptoms of psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, and trouble distinguishing what is real and what isn’t) were more common in people who took higher doses of prescription amphetamines such as Adderall. High doses were a problem in particular; participants in the study who took the highest doses were five times more likely to experience symptoms of psychosis compared to participants who took lower doses of Adderall.
Adderall and Personality Disorders
It is common for psychiatric disorders to occur together. For example, while experts disagree on the exact percentage, some studies show that around 38% of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) may also be living with ADHD.
Although rare, medications like Adderall can contribute to other personality disorders, such as new or worsening psychosis, manic symptoms, or extreme mood changes. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or have experienced episodes of psychosis, you and your healthcare provider should be aware that Adderall may worsen or bring back those symptoms.
Pay special care when taking Adderall if you have a personal or family history of other mental health issues as well.
If you’re experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts and require immediate assistance, contact a crisis hotline, such as 911, 988 suicide & crisis lifeline (toll-free), or Samaritans (116-123 or via chat).
Can Adderall Cause Borderline Personality Disorder?
Although Adderall personality changes may occur with use, the medication cannot cause BPD. The cause of BPD is currently unknown but is thought to be due to a
How to Cope With Adderall Personality Changes
Managing any Adderall effects on personality that may happen is something for you and your physician to discuss together. At MEDvidi, you can learn more about ADHD treatment during an online appointment and receive a personalized plan. You can also discuss any side effects, withdrawal symptoms, or uncomfortable personality changes, so that a medical provider can recommend an alternate dose, another ADHD medication, or a different approach.
In addition to speaking with your healthcare provider, certain lifestyle changes and preventative steps can help you manage some negative changes you may experience while taking Adderall. These changes can include:
- Get treatment for insomnia: Not sleeping well can be a side effect of Adderall, but insufficient sleep can further affect your mood and personality.
- Seek help for comorbid disorders, if any: If you have co-existing depression or another mental health condition, discuss the appropriate course of treatment with your healthcare provider.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise has positive effects on both physical and mental health.
- Focus on eating healthy foods: Adderall can cause you to lose your appetite. Make sure you are eating enough so you have the calories, vitamins, and minerals that your body and brain need to function properly and feel good.
- Join a support group. Talking to others who have similar experiences may help you manage adverse reactions or personality changes caused by Adderall.
- Practice self-care. This can include any activity that helps you lower your stress and feel better, be it meditation, mindfulness practices, improved social bonds, etc.
Signs of Adderall Abuse
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has categorized Adderall as a Schedule II substance, meaning it has a high potential for substance abuse. A 2022 study published in Pediatrics found that almost 1,000 teenagers and children died from overdoses of medications like Adderall in 2019. Taking Adderall too often or in higher amounts than prescribed is a sign of Adderall abuse or substance use disorder.
Signs of substance use disorder may include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Changes in how you use Adderall, including mixing it with other stimulants or using more than prescribed
- Irritability, hostility, or agitation
- Low appetite
If you are struggling with Adderall substance abuse, it’s important to reach out for help. Talk to a trusted family member, friend, or your physician about your struggles with Adderall abuse: professional addiction treatment is available. In the meantime, it’s important to avoid environments that may tempt you to misuse Adderall.
Summing Up
Adderall affects your brain in ways that increase your focus and attention span, but it can also come with some negative personal effects. The best way to manage any personality effects that come with taking Adderall is to find ongoing support from a qualified healthcare expert. If you want to go through a detailed mental health assessment, book your online appointment today.
