How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person suffers from both ADHD and depression or anxiety treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications boost levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It's part of a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also be given via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, including stimulants can cause them to worsen. In some instances, you may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It may also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). It is not recommended 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. It is important to inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is vital to drink enough fluids when you are taking it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines, so if you have difficulties eating solid food discuss with your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks like applesauce, yogurt or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by changing the levels of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults aged 6 years and older. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
sources with ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. It is crucial to treat these issues in order to feel better and perform their best at work and at home. Some drugs that treat mental illnesses can affect ADHD medication. It is important to be open about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are often prescribed to treat these disorders and may increase focus and concentration in those suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They help by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are low-risk for abuse and misuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression The medication produced promising results. It decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe to use.
Inform sources if other medications are being taken for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be used for 14 days after the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that this medication should not be used as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients seek treatment from a licensed psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
A number of studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most instances the results showed that atomoxetine was superior to placebo on both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. However it is important to keep in mind that the number of participants in these studies was small.
Some of the side effects associated with this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are usually minimal and are not observed in all people who take the medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children taking the drug. These trials did not lead to suicides.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine is also effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In a recent study the atomoxetine medication was more effective than a placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising outcome that suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. Further research is required to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid with concentration and impulse control. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken at least twice a day by your physician. There are also some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes an intense fear and a sense of anxiety and. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches and breath shortness, and emotions like dread or fear. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to lessen their symptoms.
Some people with ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, and a loss of self-esteem. The symptoms of untreated ADHD include inattention deficit, forgetfulness and impulsive behavior- can also lead to feelings of anger or disappointment.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, but these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in combination with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a third treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can also help in managing these conditions. For instance, you could try practicing meditation or yoga as well as reducing insomnia and stress and incorporating exercise in your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases the mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment program. These drugs are not FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms if used in conjunction along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin 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, named after the three rings that make up their chemical structure, were originally created as antipsychotics but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of a person to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, so those taking them should refrain from driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.