How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first disorder can improve the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the first choice medication for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It is part of a class known as central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances inside your brain. It is available in the form of tablets that can be chewed, liquid or an extended-release capsule. It is also available via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important that you tell your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because some medications, especially stimulants, can cause them to get worse. In certain situations it is possible to take both a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It may also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). It should not be taken by those with an inherited condition known as Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty processing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor that you intend to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and drowsiness. It is vital to drink enough fluids when you take it. Consult your physician if you are having difficulty swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience difficulties eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft food or drinks like yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It affects the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children of 6 years and older. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. It is essential to treat these issues in order to be more comfortable and perform at their best at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medication, so it is essential to be honest about any other medical issues you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, since they can trigger many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these disorders, and they can improve concentration and focus in those suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are not at risk for abuse and misuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies conducted with people suffering from ADHD, anxiety or depression. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being used for example, MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and reduces anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to remember that this medication should not be used as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a qualified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured with atomoxetine than placebo. However it is important to remember that the number of participants in these studies was limited.
The medication is also known to cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually minimal and are not observed for everyone who takes the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine have thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed 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 comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent study atomoxetine was more effective than a placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. It will take more studies to determine if atomoxetine may be also effective for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor might recommend this drug in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day. It's also associated with some serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes an intense fear and a sense of anxiety and. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, shortness in breath, and emotions like anxiety or dread. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them.
adhd medication side effects with ADHD can sometimes experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, and a loss of self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, like the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can help ease anxiety symptoms, as can non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs differ from stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or along with a stimulant. However, they're not typically prescribed for children and teens. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. This involves talking to a mental health professional, and it's sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Lifestyle and routine changes can also help in managing these conditions. For instance, you could, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels, and including exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances the mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. These drugs are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms if combined along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They can therefore help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can lift your mood and decrease 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 are named after the three rings of their chemical structure, were initially created as antipsychotics but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. Patients taking them shouldn't operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are certain of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health services that is cost-free and convenient. Find out more about our services and make an appointment today.