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, treating the first can usually 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 most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular medication for adults with ADHD or anxiety depression. It is in a class of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also 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. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may have. Certain medications, especially stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some cases it is possible to take a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who have difficulty metabolizing phenylalanine should not take it. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness. It is important to drink enough fluids when you take it. Consult your physician if you have trouble swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience difficulties eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed with soft food or drinks, such as applesauce, yogurt or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an antidepressant that is part of the class of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the amounts of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children 6 years of age and up. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. It is important to treat these issues to help them be more comfortable and perform at their best, both at work and at home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health issues can interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is essential to be honest about any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated due to the fact that both can trigger various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also help improve concentration and focus in people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They typically improve the amount of neurotransmitters within the brain, and are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression, the medication showed promising results. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety and also improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe for use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being taken, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug increases levels of this chemical within the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. It is important to note, however, that this medication is not intended to be used as a treatment on its own for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a certified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a number of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled trials that were randomized and 2 post hoc subgroup analysis. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better assessed using atomoxetine compared to placebo. However, it is important to remember that the overall sample size of these studies was limited.
This medication can also cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect all people who take this medication. Some people who take atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported during short-term clinical studies on children and adolescents who took the drug. These trials did not lead to suicides.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in an investigation of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed an placebo. This is a promising result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. It will take further study to determine if atomoxetine is also effective for other types comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that increases a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical transmits messages between brain cells, and by increasing it, it helps concentration and control of impulses. Your doctor may recommend the drug in capsules which is usually taken one or twice daily. It's also linked to more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes extreme fear and restlessness. medications for adhd in adults can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, breathlessness, and feelings of dread or panic. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen them.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can lead to problems with relationships and emotional issues and low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as can non-stimulant medications like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, however these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in conjunction with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to children and teenagers. Psychotherapy is a third treatment option. Talking with a mental-health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help you manage these issues. For instance, you could try yoga or meditation as well as reducing sleep and stress and incorporating exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations, a mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes improve symptoms of depression and anxiety if taken alongside stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, which can help improve depressive symptoms as well as anxiety. 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 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 for the three rings in their chemical structure, were originally created as antipsychotics but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the sensitivity of a person to sounds. They can cause drowsiness so those who are taking them should stay away from driving or operating dangerous equipment until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also reduce stress. 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 and schedule an appointment today.