How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first condition can often improve the second. 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 to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults with ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available as tablets, liquids chewable tablets, or extended-release capsules. It can also be given through the skin.
It is not unusual for people who suffer from ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, including stimulants can cause them get worse. In some cases, you may need to take an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments with your physician to examine these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). It is not recommended by those with a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, who have trouble metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor that you intend to get pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness. It is important to drink enough fluids when you are taking it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, consult your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew these medicines, so if you have difficulty eating solid foods consult your physician about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft food or drinks like yogurt, applesauce or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an antidepressant that is part of the family of central nerve system stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. It is crucial to treat these disorders so that they can feel better and perform their best both at work and at home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health issues can interact with ADHD medications, so it is important to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also improve concentration and focus for people with ADHD/ADHD. They help by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are low-risk for misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies that involved adults suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It improved ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being used for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days after 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 non-stimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that an individual receives treatment from a certified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled trials that were randomized as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In the majority of cases, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However, it is important to keep in mind that the size of the study was limited.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect everyone who takes this medication. Some people who take atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the medication. These trials did not lead to suicides.
As with related internet page , atomoxetine is also effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In fact in an earlier study of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than an placebo. This is a promising outcome that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. More research will be required to determine if atomoxetine can also be used effectively for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor might recommend this drug in capsule form typically taken once or twice a day. There are also some serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes intense fear and nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches shortness of breath, as well as anxiety or fear. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to manage their symptoms.
Certain people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, and also a loss of self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD include the inability to pay attention, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -can also result in feelings of disappointment or failure.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as do non-stimulant drugs like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, but these medications work differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or together with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. It involves speaking with a mental health professional, 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 could try meditating or practicing yoga, managing your stress and sleep patterns, and incorporating fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if taken with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, and therefore can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro), increase levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to boost your mood and decrease 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 properties. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness so people taking them should avoid driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they know how they'll 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 high in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce stress and boost happiness. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for affordable, insurance-free online mental health services. Find out more information and make an appointment today.