How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating the first condition can often improve the other. Mental health professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults with ADHD or anxiety depression. It belongs to a class called central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances inside your brain. It can be taken in the form of a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is important to inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may be suffering from. Some medications, particularly stimulants can make these disorders worse. In some cases you may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rates, so you should make regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It can also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). It is not recommended by those with an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, who have trouble processing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor that you intend to become pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you are having difficulty swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medications. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft food or drinks, such as applesauce pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine within the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder for adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid anxiety and depression. Treatment for these disorders is essential to make people feel better and do their best at work and home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health problems can interact with ADHD medication, so it is important to be open about any other medical issues you may have.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess due to the fact that both can trigger various symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also help improve focus and concentration for those with ADHD/ADHD. They typically improve the amount of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and they have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression, the medication showed promising results. It helped reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being used, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be used for 14 days following the administration of 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 nonstimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking the reuptake neurotransmitter. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. medications for adhd in adults is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
A number of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies include nine controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were more accurately measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. However, it is important to keep in mind that the overall size of the study was limited.
This 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 aren't a problem for all people who take this medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials of children and adolescents taking the drug. These trials did not lead to suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In a recent research 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 may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments. It will require more studies to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help in focusing and controlling impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken every day, either once or twice by your physician. There are also some serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes persistent, intense fear and anxiety. It may cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches shortness of breath, and feelings of anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms despite trying to lessen their symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD can sometimes experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, like inattention and impulsiveness, could lead to feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, but these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them on their own or in conjunction with a stimulant, though they typically aren't used in adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a third treatment option. This involves talking to an expert in mental health, and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Lifestyle and routine changes can also be helpful for managing these conditions. For instance, you can consider practicing yoga or meditation as well as reducing stress and sleep habits and incorporating physical exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances the mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment program. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if taken together with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to reduce anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase 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 first came into use as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics can also help sleep, lower blood pressure, and decrease the person's sensitivity to sounds. They can cause drowsiness, so people taking them should avoid driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
Exercise and resting enough, and eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all aid in reducing ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is cost-free and convenient. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.