How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person is suffering from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first disorder can help the second. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It's part of a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as tablets, liquids chewable tablets, or extended-release capsules. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is essential to inform your doctor if suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, including stimulants, can cause them to get worse. In some instances, you may need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant medication.
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 examine these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). It should not be taken by those with a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty processing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause blurred vision, dizziness and sleepiness. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Consult your physician if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be added to soft food or drinks such as 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 children and adults 6 years of age and up. It is also used to treat binge eating disorders for adults.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. It is crucial to treat these issues to help them be more comfortable and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain drugs used to treat mental disorders may affect ADHD medication. It is essential to be honest about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety can be complex, as they both involve various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these disorders. They can also help improve focus and concentration for those with ADHD/ADHD. They typically improve the amount of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression, the medication showed promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication such as MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) as well as the methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks help from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a variety of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled trials that were randomized and 2 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. However, it is important to remember that the overall sample size of these studies was small.
The medication is also known to cause some adverse effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are typically minor and are not seen in all people who take the medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the medication. These trials didn't result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine may be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in a recent study of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed the placebo. This is a promising outcome that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. More research will be required to determine if atomoxetine can also be used effectively for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. medication for adult adhd passes messages between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration and control impulses. Your doctor may recommend this medication in capsule form typically taken once or twice daily. It's also linked to more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches breathlessness, and feelings of anxiety or dread. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen them.
People with ADHD can develop anxiety, as well. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. The symptoms of untreated ADHD like the inability to pay attention, forgetfulness and impulsive behaviorcan also result in feelings of anger or disappointment.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications differ from stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD Your doctor could prescribe them as a single drug or along with a stimulant. However, they're not typically prescribed for adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these conditions. For instance, you could consider practicing yoga or meditation as well as reducing insomnia and stress and incorporating exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however they can occasionally improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) boost 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, so 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) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of people to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. Patients taking them shouldn't drive or operate dangerous equipment until they know what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet high in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can help you find certified providers who can provide online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more information and make an appointment today.