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 improve the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the first choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It's a part of a group of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can also be given via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is important to inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In certain instances, you may need to take both a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It may also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). It is not recommended by those suffering from a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, who have trouble processing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is important to inform your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and sleepiness. It is vital to drink plenty of fluids when you take it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults aged 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment of these conditions is important to help people feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Certain medication that treat mental illnesses can affect ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, since they can trigger various symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are often prescribed to treat these ailments and can help improve concentration and focus for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. They have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies involving adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety or depression. It improved ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor if any other medications are being used, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed 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 (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and depressive symptoms. This medication is not to be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks help from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
A variety of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In the majority of cases, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. However, it is important to note that the sample size of these studies was small.
The medication can also cause a few side effects, including abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These side effects are usually minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials of adolescents and children who took the drug. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study atomoxetine proved to be more effective than a placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. It will take more study to determine if atomoxetine may be also effective for other types comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate 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 website help in focusing and controlling impulses. This medication is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken once or twice daily by your physician. It's also been linked to some serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes constant, intense fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches breathlessness, and feelings of anxiety or dread. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms, despite trying to manage them.
Some people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, and also a loss of self-esteem. The symptoms of untreated ADHD -- such as forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention, and impulsive behavior -can also cause feelings of frustration or failure.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, and so can nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs are different from stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or in combination with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. This involves talking with an expert in mental health, and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help manage these disorders. For instance, you could, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your stress and sleep patterns and incorporating exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases an expert in mental health may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms when combined along with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to boost 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 were initially developed as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These medications include amitriptyline, imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics can also help sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease a person’s sensitivity to sounds. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. Patients taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they know how they will react to the medication.
Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health services that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more information and make an appointment today.