Pharmaceutical Side Effects and Personality

Sounds like time for a cost/benefit analysis...

I think it depends on what I would be gaining versus what I'd be losing.

I guess that I should give a little more detail because, like has been mentioned, it's too broad of a question.

I have ADHD in a pretty substantial manner.  Recently, I have begun taking a medication to treat it.  The positive effect has been a general ability to focus and feel less frustrated with myself and my surroundings.  That has actually made me better at getting work done and made it much more pleasurable to hang out with my friends.  Plus, an additional bonus has been the absolute crushing of my appetite.

However, I've realized that it has taken away an element of libido (NOT E.D. or those pills would already have been thrown out) and, those who know me, know that I take great pride in my sexuality and consider to be a vital aspect of my self-identity.  To have it go missing is just something that I'm struggling with emotionally.

Are you on a stimulant or non-stimulant treatment?  Stimulants are first line, preferably long acting agents (Concerta, Adderall XR, Metdate CD).  Many of the people I have treated have some "blunting" of their personality on these meds, and the degree to which it occurs depends on the dose and the person.  first, see what those close to you think.  I treated a woman who kept complaining of being "tired", until her husband pointed out she was finally being "normal", and not the hyperactive ball of whirlwind energy that drove everyone around her up the wall. 

Anyway, you can sometimes decrease the dose a little to get more of the "spark" back, but retain most of the concentration and focus benefits.  Or go to a shorter acting drug to be better at work, but still let your freak flag fly after hours.

Alternatively if you are having problems on a non-stimulant (Strattera, Wellbutrin), try going to the stimulant.  If you are on a stimulant, you can try one of the non-stimulants, but be aware that (a) they take 3-4 weeks to work so you will want to overlap meds for that first month, and (b) they only work in about 50% or fewer patients, so you may end up back where you started.

Just my $0.02 coming from a child psychiatrist - but I am not advising you to do anything without talking to your prescriber (disclaimer for lawyers....)

maybe you need to just give it time... plus being with an understanding partner can help.  My exbf had issues with this alot, and it never bothered me... I mean sex is only part of a relationship.  I think most women are understanding in this manner... if they are not, they're not worth your time then anyway. 

Dude. Good luck. I am sure that if this doesn't subside, you can find another drug that will give you a happy balance. Plenty of others have given great advice.

Just wanted to say, don't be satisfied with how you are until you feel "right" on all accounts.

Are there case studies that help the research you are looking for?  Will the libido issue be temporary or long-term?  Is there a "better" drug?  How many other potential disclaimer side-effects may occur?

That's a tough decision, Cubie.  Any kind of drug "curing this" or "helping that" always scares me.  I hope the decision you make works for you.