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 condition often improves the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the first choice medication for adults with ADHD or anxiety depression. It is in a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as tablets that can be chewed, liquid or an extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for those with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, particularly stimulants, can cause them to get worse. In certain situations, you may need to take both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It may also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who are unable to process the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence. It is important to drink enough fluids while you take it. If you are having difficulty taking tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. medication for adults with add should not crush or chew on these medications. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be added to soft food or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication within the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the quantity of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children aged six years and over. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid anxiety and depression. Treatment for these disorders is important to make people feel more relaxed and perform their best at work and home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is essential to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by a variety of symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these disorders and can help increase focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They typically improve the amount of neurotransmitters within the brain, and have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies involving adults suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It reduced the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are being used, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be used for 14 days after the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor if you have an allergy 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 the reuptake neurotransmitter. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist or therapist.
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 include nine randomized controlled trials as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most cases, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However it is important to keep in mind that the sample size of these studies was limited.
This medication can cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are usually mild and do not occur for everyone who takes the medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating comorbid ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising outcome that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. It will take further studies to determine if atomoxetine is also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant, increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical passes messages between brain cells and boosting it can help concentration and control impulses. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your doctor. There are also some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes persistent, intense anxiety and a sense of restlessness. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, breathlessness, and feelings of dread or panic. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to manage their symptoms.
People with ADHD may experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions and a loss of self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD like forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention and impulsive behaviorcan also result in feelings of disappointment or failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to ease anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications are different from stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them alone or with a stimulant, though they are typically not prescribed to adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. This involves talking to a mental health professional, and it's sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help manage these disorders. For instance, you can try yoga or meditation, managing insomnia and stress and incorporating physical exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations, a mental health professional 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 used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to improve anxiety and depression symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) boost the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain 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 first came into use as antipsychotics, but later discovered to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include amitriptyline, imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics can also improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and decrease the person's sensitivity to sounds. They can cause drowsiness, so people taking them should refrain from driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and increase happiness. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for affordable, insurance-free online mental health care. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.