How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating the first condition can often improve the second. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, 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 boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It's part of a group known as central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as a tablet, liquid, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It is also available through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important that you tell your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because some medications, especially stimulants can cause them to get worse. In certain situations, you might require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also raise blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should make regular appointments with your doctor to monitor these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have trouble metabolizing the phenylalanine drug should not take it. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is important to inform your doctor that you intend to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness. It is essential to drink enough fluids while you are taking it. Ask your doctor if have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications. If you're having trouble eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks, such as applesauce yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an anthelminthic medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used in the treatment 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 with ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to treat these disorders so that they can feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Some medications that are typically used to treat mental health conditions can interact with ADHD medication, so it is crucial to be open about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, since they can trigger a variety of symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are frequently used to treat these conditions, and they can enhance focus and concentration in those suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. They are safe for abuse and misuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression, the medication showed promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is important to tell your doctor if taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), the methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be consumed for 14 days after the use of lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug increases levels of this chemical within the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and depressive symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine click here on patients suffering from ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies include 9 controlled studies that are randomized and 2 post-hoc subgroup studies. In most instances, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. It is important to remember that the sample size of these studies was very small.
This medication is also known to cause some adverse effects, including abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the medication. These trials didn't result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can be effective in treating comorbid ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than a placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. It will require more research to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that increases a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. The chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration and control of impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken every day, either once or twice by your physician. It's also associated with 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, shortness of breath, as well as feelings of dread or panic. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce their symptoms.
People with ADHD can experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, as well as low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like inattention and impulsiveness, could cause feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, although these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in combination with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to children and teenagers. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. This involves talking to a mental health professional 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 practicing yoga, regulating sleep and stress levels and incorporating fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. These drugs aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can sometimes improve symptoms of anxiety and depression if taken alongside stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to reduce anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your 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, so named for the three rings that make up their chemical structure, were initially created as antipsychotics but were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of a person to noise, enhance sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. The people taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are certain of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can help you find certified providers who can provide online mental health care that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more about our services and make an appointment today.