How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications boost levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. They also aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety. It is in a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It is also available via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders like depression or anxiety. You should inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some cases you may need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate may cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rates and therefore, you should schedule regular visits to your physician to examine these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who are unable to process the phenylalanine drug should not take it. It is also risky to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is important to inform your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you are having difficulty swallowing tablets, consult your doctor about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medications therefore, if you experience difficulty eating solid foods consult your physician about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft food or drinks, such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine within the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 years or older. It is also used to treat binge eating disorders for adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently afflicted with anxiety and depression disorders. The treatment of these conditions is crucial to help people feel better and perform at 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 crucial to be open about any other medical issues you may have.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated, as they both involve various symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also help improve focus and concentration for those who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They are effective by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are safe for abuse and misuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression The medication produced promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is important to tell your doctor if you're taking any other medication that include MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), Methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not to be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that an individual receives treatment from a qualified 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 comprise 9 controlled studies that are randomized and 2 post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases the results showed that atomoxetine was superior to placebo on both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However, it is important to keep in website mind that the number of participants in these studies was small.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are usually mild and do not occur in everyone who takes the medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported during short-term clinical studies with adolescents and children who were taking the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In fact the results of an earlier study of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed a placebo. This is a promising outcome that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. It will take more studies to determine if atomoxetine is also effective for other types comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that boosts a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. The chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells, and boosting it can help concentration and control impulses. Your doctor may offer you the drug in capsules which is usually taken one or twice daily. It's also linked to some more serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes constant, intense fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and feelings like fear or dread. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce their symptoms.
Some people suffering from ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can lead to feelings of frustration and feeling of failure.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, although these medications work differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or in conjunction 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 anxiety as well as ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these disorders. You can, for example, try meditating or doing yoga, regulating stress and sleep patterns, and incorporating fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances, 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 may sometimes improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can boost your mood and reduce 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 were originally developed as antipsychotics, but later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of a person to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. The people who are taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are certain of how they will react to the medication.
Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet that is rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also reduce stress. 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 services. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment today.