How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and depression or anxiety treating one condition usually improves the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression, or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults with ADHD or anxiety depression. It is in a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants and is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken as tablets, liquids, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is important that you tell your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because some medications, especially stimulants, can cause them to get worse. In some instances, you may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who are unable to process phenylalanine should not take it. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should inform your doctor that you intend to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew on these medications. If you're having trouble eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks, such as applesauce pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by changing the levels of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in children and adults who are six years old and up. It is also used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment for these disorders is crucial to make people feel better and do their best at work and home. Some medication that treat mental illnesses may interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to be open about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated because they both have a wide range of symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are often prescribed to treat these disorders and may improve concentration and focus in those suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression The medication had promising results. It reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe to use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) as well as methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be used for 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that an individual seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist and/or therapist.
There have been a myriad of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most instances, both improvement in symptoms and cognition function were better assessed using atomoxetine compared to placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size in these studies was very small.
Some of the side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually minor and do not affect everyone who takes this medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials of adolescents and children who took the medication. adhd adults medication Iam Psychiatry did not lead to suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In fact the results of a recent study of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine was found to outperform an placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. More research is needed 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 increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist in focusing and controlling impulses. This medication is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken every day, either once or twice by your physician. There are some serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that can cause an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, and feelings of dread or panic. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to manage them.
People suffering from ADHD may suffer from anxiety, too. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can result in feelings of anger and inability.
Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine, Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used to treat ADHD in adults, although these drugs work differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD Your doctor could prescribe them on their own or in conjunction together with a stimulant, but they are typically not prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. It involves speaking with a mental health professional, and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. For instance, you could try practicing meditation or yoga, managing stress and sleep habits, and incorporating physical activity in your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, which can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to lift your mood and decrease 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 were initially developed as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also help sleep, reduce blood pressure and reduce the sensitivity of a person to sounds. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. The people taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are certain of how they will react to the medication.
Exercise and resting enough, and eating a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness-based practices as well as other forms of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and boost happiness. Klarity can help you find licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health services that is cost-free and convenient. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment now.