How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person suffers from both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating the first can usually help the second. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular medication for adults with ADHD or anxiety depression. It's part of a group known as central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available as chewable tablets, liquids, or extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. It is crucial to inform your doctor if are suffering from depression or anxiety as some medications, especially stimulants can cause them to get worse. In some instances, you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have trouble metabolizing the phenylalanine drug should not take it. It is also dangerous to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant.
You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Ask your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medicines. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication in the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children aged 6 years and up. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Treatment for these disorders is crucial to aid people in feeling better and do their best at work and home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medications, so it is crucial to be open about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated, as they both involve various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these disorders. They can also help improve concentration and focus for people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies that involved adults suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It improved ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is important to tell your doctor if you are taking any other medication that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) as well as methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any of the other ingredients in this 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 blocking reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this medication should not be used as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a certified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a number of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled trials that were randomized and 2 post hoc subgroup analyses. In most cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than the placebo. It is important to note that the sample size of these studies was small.
The medication can cause some adverse effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. In some instances, people who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children taking the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in an investigation of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed a placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments. It will take further study to determine if atomoxetine may be effective in other forms of anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical passes messages between brain cells, and by increasing it, it helps concentration and control impulses. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form, usually 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 fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches as well as breathlessness and feelings such as fear or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms, despite efforts to reduce them.
Certain people with ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, as well as a lack of self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD -- such as forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention, and impulsive behavior -can also cause feelings of anger or disappointment.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, but these drugs work differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or together with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can be beneficial in managing these disorders. For instance, you can consider practicing yoga or meditation, managing sleep and stress and incorporating physical exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases the mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment program. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve anxiety and depression symptoms if used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, which can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to 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 originally developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. Patients taking them shouldn't operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are certain of how they will react to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. www.iampsychiatry.uk and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. And, if you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for affordable, insurance-free online mental health services. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.