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 disorder can help the second. Mental health professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. They also aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. adult adhd medication of 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 a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, or extended-release capsules. It can also be given through the skin.
It is not unusual for people who suffer from ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as some medications, especially stimulants can cause them get worse. In certain situations, you might require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should make regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't 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.
You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and somnolence. It is important to drink plenty of fluids when you take it. Ask your doctor if are having difficulty swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid food, ask your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug within the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are six years old and up. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to treat these conditions to help them feel better and perform at their best, both at work and at home. Some drugs that treat mental illnesses can interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess, as they both involve various symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these ailments and can help increase focus and concentration in people with ADHD or ADHD. They are effective by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are not at risk for misuse and abuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies conducted with adults suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It helped reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and also improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are being taken for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed for 14 days following the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks help from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine randomized controlled trials as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most instances, both improvement in symptoms and cognition function were better measured with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to note that the sample size of these studies was very small.
This medication can cause some adverse effects, including abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These effects are usually mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children who took the drug. These trials did not result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In a recent research study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising result that suggests that this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. More research is needed to determine whether the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day. There are also some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes constant, intense fear and anxiety. It may cause symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath, and anxiety or fear. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to manage their symptoms.
People with ADHD may develop anxiety, as well. The condition can lead to issues with relationships and emotions, as well as low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can result in feelings of anger and inability.
Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications work differently from stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them as a single drug or along with a stimulant. However, they're not typically prescribed for adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. This involves talking with an expert in mental health, and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help you manage these issues. For instance, you can try yoga or meditation, managing stress and sleep habits, and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases the mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if taken along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, so they can improve symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within 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 are named after the three rings that make up their chemical structure, were initially developed as antipsychotics and later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. The people taking them shouldn't drive or operate dangerous equipment until they are certain of how they will react to the medication.
Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is cost-free and convenient. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment now.