How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person has both ADHD and depression or anxiety treating one of the conditions often improves the other. 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 and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or extended-release capsule. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not unusual for people who suffer from ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, particularly stimulants can cause them to worsen. In some instances, you may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should make regular visits to your physician to monitor these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by people who have an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, who have trouble processing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness, blurred vision and sleepiness. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medications, so if you have difficulties eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks, such as yogurt, applesauce or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication 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 the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and older. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by depression and anxiety disorders. The treatment of these conditions is crucial to help people feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Some drugs used to treat mental conditions can affect ADHD medication. It is important to discuss any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, as they involve many symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these disorders. They also can improve focus and concentration for those who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They help by increasing certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. They are safe for abuse and misuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies that involved adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety or depression. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety and also improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe to use.
It is important to tell your doctor if taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any 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 blocking the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to remember that this medication is not recommended as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analysis. In the majority of 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 keep in mind that the sample size in these studies was very small.
Some of the side effects associated with this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are usually minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who use atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies with adolescents and children who were taking the medication. These trials did not lead to suicides.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent study atomoxetine proved to be more effective than placebo when treating adults suffering from 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. More research will be required to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other types of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant, boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor might recommend the drug in capsules typically taken once or twice daily. There are also some serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes an intense fear and a sense of restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, shortness in breath, and emotions like dread or fear. People suffering from anxiety disorders frequently struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to lessen them.
add adult medications with ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can lead to problems with relationships and emotional issues and low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can cause feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as can non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, although these drugs work differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD Your doctor could prescribe them as a single drug or with a stimulant, though they're not typically prescribed for adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. It involves speaking with a mental health professional and it's sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help you manage these issues. For instance, you could, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your stress and sleep patterns and including exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can sometimes improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin and 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 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 were originally developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have potent antidepressant effects. These include amitriptyline imipramine, and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People taking them should not drive or operate dangerous equipment until they are certain of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a healthy diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness practices and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and boost happiness. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health services that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more about our services and make an appointment today.