Why Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression Should Be Your Next Big Obsession
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 professionals typically prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. They also aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression. It's a part of a group of medications called central nervous system stimulants and is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or extended-release capsule. It can also be given via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, including stimulants can cause them get worse. In certain situations you may have to take stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, so you should keep regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). It should not be taken by those suffering from a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so inform your doctor whether you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is vital to drink enough fluids when you are taking it. If you experience difficulty swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you're having trouble eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine within the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in children and adults who are 6 years of age and older. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Treatment of these conditions is essential to help people feel more relaxed and perform their best at work and home. Some medications that are typically used to treat mental health problems can interact with ADHD medication, so it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also help improve concentration and focus for people with ADHD/ADHD. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are safe for misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression, the medication showed promising results. It decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe for use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being taken for example, MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken for 14 days following the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician 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 blocking the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analysis. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. However it is important to keep in mind that the number of participants in these studies was small.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. medication for add in adults are usually minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who were taking the medication. These trials did not lead to suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact, in an earlier study of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed an placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. It will require more study to determine if atomoxetine may be also effective for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug, increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form, usually taken once or twice daily. It's also associated with some more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes intense, persistent fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, breathlessness, and feelings of anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to manage them.
Some people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause problems with emotions and relationships, and also a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can cause feelings of frustration and inability.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can ease anxiety symptoms, as do non-stimulant drugs like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, although these medications work differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them alone or together with a stimulant, but they're not typically prescribed for adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. Talking with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Changes in routine and lifestyle can also be helpful for managing these disorders. For instance, you can try yoga or meditation or managing sleep and stress and incorporating physical exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional might 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 taken along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can lift your mood and decrease 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 of their chemical structure, were first created as antipsychotics but were later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also help sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the person's sensitivity to sounds. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. The people taking them shouldn't operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are sure of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and boost happiness. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for affordable, insurance-free online mental health services. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.