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 condition can often help the second. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular medication for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It's part of a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants and is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders like 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 certain instances it is possible to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy or nursing, so let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. It is important to drink enough fluids while you take it. If you are having difficulty taking tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines therefore, if you experience difficulty eating solid foods, talk to your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an anthelminthic medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children aged six years and over. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. It is essential to treat these conditions so that they can be more comfortable and perform at their best, both 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 open about any other medical issues you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these ailments. They also can improve focus and concentration for those who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. They are low-risk for abuse and misuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies conducted with adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. It improved ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are being used for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed for 14 days following the use of the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug boosts levels of this chemical within the brain to improve alertness, decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to remember, however, that this medication is not recommended as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person seek treatment from a licensed psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a number of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post-hoc subgroup studies. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than the placebo. However, it is important to note that the number of participants in these studies was small.
This medication is also known to cause some adverse effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect anyone who takes this medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In fact the results of an investigation of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed an placebo. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. It will take further research to determine if atomoxetine is effective in other forms of anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that increases a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. adhd uk medication in it can aid with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may offer you the drug in capsules typically taken once or twice daily. There are also serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes an intense fear and a sense of restlessness. It can trigger symptoms like stomachaches, headaches shortness of breath, as well as feelings of anxiety or dread. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to manage them.
Certain people suffering from ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, and also a loss of self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can cause 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 work differently from stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or with a stimulant, though they're not typically prescribed for teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be effective in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. You can, for example try meditation or yoga, regulating your stress and sleep patterns and incorporating exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional might recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms when taken with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, so they can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorslike fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to improve your mood and reduce 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, named for the three rings of their chemical structure, were first developed as antipsychotics and later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
adult add medications decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, so people taking them should refrain from driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest and eating a balanced diet high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness practices and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy can reduce stress and increase happiness. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for affordable, insurance-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services and book an appointment today.