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 can usually improve the second. Mental health professionals usually prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It is part of a class known as central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available in the form of a liquid, chewable tablet or an extended-release capsule. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is important that you inform your doctor if you have anxiety or depression because certain medications, including stimulants can cause them to worsen. In some cases, you may need to take a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have trouble metabolizing phenylalanine should not 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 you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Consult your physician if you are having difficulty swallowing tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks, such as applesauce pudding, or yogurt.
2. medication adhd adults is a medicine that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. 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 of six years and over. It is sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by depression and anxiety disorders. It is crucial to treat these conditions in order to feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Some medications used to treat mental conditions may affect ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated because they both have many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these disorders, and they can increase focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They typically improve the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies involving adults with ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if taking any other medications that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox), 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 the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to note that this medication is not intended to be used as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a certified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a myriad of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine randomized controlled trials as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were more accurately measured with atomoxetine than the placebo. However, it is important to note that the overall number of participants in these studies was limited.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and do not occur in everyone who takes the medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies with children and adolescents who took the drug. These trials did not result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In a recent study atomoxetine was more effective than a placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. It will take further studies to determine if atomoxetine can be effective in other forms of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug, increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form typically taken once or twice a day. There are also serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes constant, intense anxiety and a sense of restlessness. It can trigger symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, and feelings of dread or panic. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen their symptoms.
People with ADHD can develop anxiety, as well. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, as well as a lack of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsiveness, could cause feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications are different from stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them as a single drug or with a stimulant, though they typically aren't used in adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. This involves talking with an expert in mental health, and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Lifestyle and routine changes can be beneficial in managing these conditions. You could, for instance try meditation or yoga, regulating your sleep and stress levels and incorporating exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment. These drugs aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can occasionally improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, which can improve symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can 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 were initially developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are certain of what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest, and eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health services. Find out more about our services and make an appointment today.