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 disorder can 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 two most commonly used antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety. It belongs to a class called central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available in the form of tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or an extended-release capsule. It can also be given via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is essential to inform your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, including stimulants can cause them get worse. In some instances, you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have difficulty metabolizing phenylalanine should not take it. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so you should inform your doctor whether you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and drowsiness. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids when you take it. If you are having difficulty taking tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew these medicines, so if you have trouble eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed with soft food or drinks, such as yogurt, applesauce or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug within the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults 6 years of age and over. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often afflicted by anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to treat these disorders so that they can be more comfortable and perform at their best both at work and at home. web page used to treat mental conditions may affect ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, since they can trigger various symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are frequently used to treat these ailments and can help increase focus and concentration in those suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and they have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies that involved people suffering from ADHD, anxiety or depression. It helped reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety and improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe for use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) as well as Methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be consumed within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredient in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug boosts levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a qualified psychiatrist and/or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine controlled trials that were randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better assessed using atomoxetine compared to placebo. However, it is important to remember that the size of the study was limited.
Some of the side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and don't affect anyone who takes this 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 medication. These trials didn't result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than a placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising result that suggests that this drug 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 have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical transmits messages between brain cells and increasing it can aid concentration and control impulses. This medication is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken every day, either once or twice by your doctor. It's also associated with more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes constant, intense fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and emotions like dread or fear. People suffering from anxiety disorders frequently struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to manage them.
People with ADHD may develop anxiety, as well. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsiveness, could result in feelings of anger and failure.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as can non-stimulant drugs like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications work differently from stimulants.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in combination with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. For instance, you could consider practicing yoga or meditation, managing sleep and stress and incorporating physical exercise in your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases an expert in mental health might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment plan. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can sometimes help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They can therefore help to improve anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to boost your mood and reduce your 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 in their chemical structure, were originally created as antipsychotics but were later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of people to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, therefore, those taking them should refrain from driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health services that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more about our services and book an appointment now.