How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating one condition 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 two most common antidepressants prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It belongs to a class known as central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances inside your brain. It is available as chewable tablets, liquids, or extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. You should tell your doctor about any anxiety or depression you might be suffering from. Certain medications, especially stimulants can make these disorders worse. In some cases you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate may cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also raise blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should make regular appointments with your doctor to monitor these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). It is not recommended by those suffering from a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause blurred vision, dizziness and sleepiness. It is vital to drink enough fluids when you take it. Ask your doctor if have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medicines. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks, such as applesauce pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine in the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in children and adults 6 years of age and older. It is sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. It is essential to treat these disorders so that they can feel better and perform their best, both at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health problems can interact with ADHD medication, so it is essential to disclose any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by a variety of symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also improve focus and concentration for those with ADHD or ADHD. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are not at risk for misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies conducted with adults with ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It improved ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor if any other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken for 14 days following the use of the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor whether you are allergic 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 preventing the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces 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. adhd medication side effects is recommended that the patient seeks help from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
There have been a variety of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled trials that were randomized and 2 post hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However, it is important to keep in mind that the overall number of participants in these studies was small.
Some of the side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and don't affect anyone who takes this medication. In some instances, people who take atomoxetine have thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies with adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in an earlier study of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than a placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. Further research is needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively to treat other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.
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 in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may offer you this drug in capsule form typically taken once or twice a day. It's also associated with more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes persistent, intense fear and anxiety. It can trigger symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, breathlessness, and anxiety or fear. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to lessen them.
adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication with ADHD can suffer from anxiety, too. The condition can cause problems with emotions and relationships, as well as a lack of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like inattention and impulsiveness, could result in feelings of anger and feeling of failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant drugs like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, however these medications work differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them alone or with a stimulant, though they typically aren't used in children and teens. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. It involves speaking with a mental health professional, and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in routine and lifestyle can be beneficial in managing these conditions. You can, for example, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your sleep and stress levels, and adding fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances, a mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment program. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve depression and anxiety symptoms when taken along with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can improve symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to lift your mood and decrease 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 were initially developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have potent antidepressant effects. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics also improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the person's sensitivity to sounds. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. The people taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are certain of what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest, and eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, can also help to reduce stress. If you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.