How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person has both ADHD and anxiety or depression treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications boost levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. They also aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It is in a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants and is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids chewable tablets, or extended-release capsules. It is also available via the skin.
It is not uncommon for those who suffer from ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important to inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you might be suffering from. Some medications, particularly stimulants can make these disorders worse. In some instances, you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by people who have a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so you should inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness and blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Consult your physician if you are having difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications If you are having difficulties eating solid food discuss with your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks such as yogurt, applesauce or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and over. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders for adults.
Adults with ADHD often have comorbid anxiety and depression. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is essential to disclose any other medical issues you might have.
medication for adult adhd and anxiety can be complex because they both have many symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these disorders. They can also help improve concentration and focus in people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and they are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety The medication produced promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be used for 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. The drug increases levels of this chemical within the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than the placebo. However, it is important to keep in mind that the sample size of these studies was small.
The medication is also known to cause a few side effects, including abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and are not observed for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported during short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In a recent research study, atomoxetine proved to be more effective than placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. More research will be needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other types of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form, usually taken once or twice daily. It's also associated with some more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes intense, persistent fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and emotions like fear or dread. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to reduce their symptoms.
Some people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can cause feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, although these drugs function differently than stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them on their own or in conjunction along with a stimulant. However, they are typically not prescribed to children and teens. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Talking with a mental-health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these disorders. You could, for instance try meditation or yoga, regulating your stress and sleep patterns and incorporating fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases an expert in mental health may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment program. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve anxiety and depression symptoms if combined along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to improve anxiety and depression symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can improve your mood and reduce your anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors -- such as mirtazapine (Remeron) and nefazodone (Serzone) -- also lift your mood by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin that your brain's chemical messengers release. Tricyclic antidepressants, so named after the three rings that make up their chemical structure, were originally developed as antipsychotics and later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, therefore, those who are taking them should stay away from driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices as well as other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce stress and increase happiness. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for easy, cost-free online mental health services. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment now.