How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating the first condition can often improve the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications increase levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It belongs to a class known as central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is important that you inform your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because some medications, especially stimulants can cause them get worse. In certain situations, you might require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also raise heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should make regular visits to your physician to examine these. It may also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who are unable to process the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy or nursing, so let your doctor know whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you are having difficulty taking tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid food, ask your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks like applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug within the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and up. It is also used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. The treatment of these conditions is essential to help people feel better and do their best at work and at home. Some medication used to treat mental conditions may interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to be open about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety can be complex due to the fact that both can trigger various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these disorders. They can also help improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD or ADHD. They are effective by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are low-risk for abuse and misuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies involving adults suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It helped improve ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug increases levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and depression symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a certified psychiatrist or therapist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. adhd medication uk comprise 9 controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc subgroup studies. In the majority of cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However, it is important to keep in mind that the overall size of the study was limited.
This medication can also cause some adverse effects, including abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These effects are usually minimal and are not observed for everyone who takes the medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the drug. These trials did not result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent study atomoxetine was more effective than placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. More research is needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively to treat other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug, increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. The chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells, and by increasing it, it helps concentration and control of impulses. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your doctor. It's also associated with some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that triggers an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and feelings like anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. 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 inability.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help in easing 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 drugs are different from stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or together with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these disorders. For instance, you could, try meditating or doing yoga, regulating insomnia and stress levels and including fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression if taken alongside stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, and therefore can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro), increase levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in 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 were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and decrease the person's sensitivity to sounds. They can cause drowsiness so those who are taking them should stay away from driving or operating dangerous equipment until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and increase happiness. Klarity can help you find certified providers who can provide online mental health care that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more information and make an appointment today.