Everything You Need To Know About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression Dos And Don'ts
How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person is suffering from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first can usually help the second. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular medication for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It's part of a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as tablets, liquids, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders like anxiety or depression. You should tell your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some cases, you may need to take a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It may also raise your heart rate and blood pressure, so you should keep regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). medication for adult adhd with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who are unable to process the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It can be dangerous to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is vital to drink plenty of fluids when you are taking it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, consult your doctor about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to chew or crush these medications, so if you have difficulties eating solid food, talk to your doctor about liquid medicines 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 nerve system stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults six years old and over. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder for adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment for these disorders is important to help people feel more relaxed and perform their best at work and at home. Some medications that are typically used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues you may have.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess due to the fact that both can trigger many symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are often prescribed to treat these ailments and can help enhance focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They usually work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies that involved adults suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It reduced the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this medication is not recommended as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist or therapist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine randomized controlled trials as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were more accurately measured with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size in these studies was small.
This medication is also known to cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These effects are usually minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who use atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who were taking the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is also effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In a recent study atomoxetine proved to be more effective than a placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. More research will be needed to determine whether the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively to treat other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor might recommend this medication in capsule form typically taken once or twice daily. It's also linked to some more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause intense fear and anxiety and. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath, and feelings of dread or panic. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms, despite efforts to manage the severity of their symptoms.
Some people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD include inattention deficit, forgetfulness and impulsive behaviorcan also cause feelings of disappointment or failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs differ from stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or together with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help manage these conditions. For instance, you could consider practicing yoga or meditation as well as reducing insomnia and stress and incorporating exercise in your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances an expert in mental health may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to improve your mood and reduce 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 for the three rings of their chemical structure, were first created as antipsychotics but were later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, improve sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. The people taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are certain of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all aid in reducing ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy can also reduce stress and boost happiness. And, if you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for affordable, insurance-free online mental health care. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.