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 specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most common adhd medications frequently used antidepressants prescribed “off-label” for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the first choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It belongs to a class called central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as a tablet, liquid, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you have anxiety or depression because some medications, especially stimulants can cause them worsen. In some instances, you may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should make regular visits to your physician to monitor these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by people who have a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Ask your doctor if are having difficulty swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines, so if you have difficulty eating solid foods, talk to your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks like applesauce, yogurt or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It works by altering the levels of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children of six years and over. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment for these disorders is important to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Some medication used to treat mental conditions may interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess due to the fact that both can trigger various symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are often prescribed to treat these conditions and can help enhance focus and concentration in those suffering from ADHD/adhd and medication. They typically improve the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression The medication had promising results. It improved ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) as well as Methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be consumed for 14 days after the administration of lisdexamfetamine. It is also important to let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and depression symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks help from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
There have been a number of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled studies that are randomized and 2 post hoc subgroup analysis. In the majority of cases the results showed that atomoxetine was superior to placebo on both measures of improvement in symptoms and cognitive function. It is important to note that the sample size in these studies was very small.
The medication can also cause a few side effects, including abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These side effects are usually minor and do not affect everyone who takes this medication. In some instances, people who take atomoxetine have thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the medication. However, suicides didn’t occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In a recent study the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating adhd medication names uk and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. More research is required to determine if Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that boosts a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical passes messages between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration and control impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken once or twice daily by your doctor. It’s also linked to some more serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and feelings like fear or dread. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms despite trying to manage them.
Certain people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can cause feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can ease anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant drugs like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). 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.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or in combination with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking with a mental-health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can also help in managing these conditions. For instance, you could consider practicing yoga or meditation, managing insomnia and stress, and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment. These medications aren’t FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve anxiety and depression symptoms if taken together with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They can therefore help to improve anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) — increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to lift your mood and decrease your 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 powerful antidepressant effects. These drugs include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics can also lessen a person’s sensitivity to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. Patients who are taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are certain of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
Exercise and resting enough, and eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. And, if you’re struggling to manage your anxiety and Adhd Medication Options, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for convenient, insurance-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment today.