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 disorder can help the second. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression. It's a part of a group of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants and is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. You should tell your doctor about any anxiety or depression you might be suffering from. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some cases, you may need to take both a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, including headaches and 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 ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by those with an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing. It is important to inform your doctor that you intend to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence. It is important to drink enough fluids when you take it. Ask your doctor if have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications. If you're having trouble eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft food or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the quantity of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 years or older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment for these disorders is essential to make people feel more relaxed and perform their best at work and home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medications, so it is important to be honest about any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are frequently used to treat these conditions and may enhance focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They help by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are safe for abuse and misuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety, the medication showed promising results. It reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe for use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being used for example, MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken for 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking reuptake neurotransmitter. By increasing the 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 as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that an individual seek treatment from a licensed psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size in these studies was small.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are usually minor and are not seen in all people who take the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials of children and adolescents taking the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent research study, atomoxetine was more effective than placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising outcome which suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. More research is needed to determine whether the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug, increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical transmits 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 physician. It's also been linked to some more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause extreme fear and nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches and breath shortness, and feelings such as anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms despite trying to manage them.
Certain people with ADHD can 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 lead to feelings of frustration and inability.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to ease anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, although these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or in combination with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. This involves talking with an expert in mental health, and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Making changes to your routine and habits can help you manage these issues. For instance, you could try yoga or meditation or managing insomnia and stress and incorporating exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional might recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. These drugs are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if combined together with stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to alleviate anxiety and depression symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain to boost 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 are named after the three rings in their chemical structure, were initially designed as antipsychotics, and later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics can also improve sleep, lower blood pressure and reduce the person's sensitivity to sound. They can cause drowsiness therefore, those taking them should avoid driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
Iam Psychiatry can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness practices and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy can also reduce stress and boost happiness. If you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for affordable, insurance-free online mental health care. Find out more about our services and book an appointment now.