How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first condition can often improve the second. Mental health professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It's part of a class of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants and is a drug that alters the amount 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 uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is crucial to tell your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, particularly stimulants can cause them worsen. In certain situations, you may need to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It may also raise your heart rate and blood pressure, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who are unable to process phenylalanine should not take it. It can be dangerous to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor that you intend to become pregnant.
You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. adhd medication uk buy online can cause blurred vision, dizziness and sleepiness. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Consult your physician if you have trouble swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to 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 food 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 affects 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 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently afflicted with anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to make people feel better and do their best at work and home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health problems can interact with ADHD medications, so it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated, as they both involve many symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these disorders and may enhance focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies involving adults suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It helped improve ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication, including MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox), Methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be taken within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor 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 believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain to improve alertness, decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a certified psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases the results showed that atomoxetine was superior to placebo on both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. It is important to note that the sample size of these studies was small.
The medication is also known to cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These effects are usually minimal and are not observed for everyone who takes 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 who took the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could also be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, atomoxetine was more effective than placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising result which suggests that this drug may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. It will take further study to determine if atomoxetine is also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication 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. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken at least twice a day by your physician. It's also associated with more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause extreme fear and nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, shortness in breath, and feelings such as anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite trying to reduce the severity of their symptoms.
Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD like inattention deficit, forgetfulness and impulsive behaviorcan also cause feelings of disappointment or failure.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, however these medications work differently than stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or together with a stimulant, but they typically aren't used in adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help you manage these issues. For instance, you could try meditating or practicing yoga, managing your sleep and stress levels and including exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations an expert in mental health may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however they can sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They can therefore help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of the 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, named after the three rings in their chemical structure, were originally designed as antipsychotics, and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of a person to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people taking them should not drive or operate dangerous equipment until they are certain of what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest, and eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for convenient, insurance-free online mental health care. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.