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, treating the first condition can often improve the second. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression, or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin is the most popular medication to treat adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression. It's part of a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It is used to alter the levels 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 through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is important to inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In certain situations, you may need to take stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have trouble metabolizing phenylalanine should not take it. It can be dangerous to use during pregnancy or while 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 can cause dizziness, blurred vision and sleepiness. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Ask your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine within the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children 6 years of age and up. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by depression and anxiety disorders. It is crucial to treat these disorders in order to be more comfortable and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain medications used to treat mental conditions may interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to be open about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, since they can trigger a variety of symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these ailments and can help improve concentration and focus for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They are effective by increasing certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. adhd for adults medication are low-risk for misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies conducted with adults suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication such as MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox) and the methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be used for 14 days following the use of lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a certified psychiatrist or therapist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post hoc subgroup analysis. In most cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than the placebo. However it is important to keep in mind that the overall sample size of these studies was small.
This medication is also known to cause some side effects, including abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and are not observed in everyone who takes the medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials of adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In fact in an investigation of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than the placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. More research will be required to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that boosts a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical passes messages between brain cells and boosting it can help concentration and control impulses. Your doctor may recommend the drug in capsules, usually taken once or twice daily. adhd for adults medication 's also associated with some serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes constant, intense fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches shortness of breath, as well as feelings of dread or panic. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to lessen them.
People suffering from ADHD can sometimes suffer from anxiety, too. The condition can lead to problems with relationships and emotional issues, as well as low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can result in feelings of anger and feeling of failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications are different from stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in combination with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. This involves talking with a mental health professional, and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help manage these conditions. For instance, you could try practicing meditation or yoga, managing stress and sleep habits and incorporating exercise in your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations the mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression if taken alongside 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 the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to boost 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 were originally developed as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to have potent antidepressant effects. These medications include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics can also reduce a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. Patients taking them shouldn't drive or operate dangerous equipment until they are sure of how they will react to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest and eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains can all aid in reducing ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. If you're struggling to manage 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 book an appointment today.