How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person is suffering from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first can usually help the second. Mental health professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It belongs to a class called central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of a liquid, chewable tablet, or extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders like anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may be suffering from. Certain medications, especially stimulants can make these conditions worse. In certain situations, you might need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It may also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who are unable to process phenylalanine should not take it. It is also risky to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and somnolence. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids when you are taking it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, consult your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew on these medications. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks like applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine in the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amounts 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 and older. It is also used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently afflicted with anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment of these conditions is important to help people feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health problems may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is essential to disclose any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated, as they both involve many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are often prescribed to treat these disorders and may increase focus and concentration in people with ADHD or ADHD. They typically improve the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety, the medication showed promising results. It improved ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox) as well as the methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not 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 known as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug raises levels of this chemical within the brain to improve alertness, reduce anxiety, and depressive symptoms. medication for adhd is important to note that this medication should not be used as a treatment on its own for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
A variety of studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies include 9 controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most instances the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. It is important to keep in mind that the sample size in these studies was very small.
The medication can cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and are not observed in everyone who takes the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who were taking the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, atomoxetine was more effective than a placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. More research will be needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant, increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical passes messages between brain cells and increasing it can aid concentration and control of impulses. This medication is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your doctor. There are also some serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes an intense fear and a sense of anxiety and. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches shortness of breath, as well as feelings of dread or panic. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen them.
Some people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions and also a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can result in feelings of anger and feeling of failure.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can ease anxiety symptoms, as can nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medication like Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs differ from stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them alone or along with a stimulant. However, they are typically not prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Changes in routine and lifestyle can be beneficial in managing these conditions. You can, for example try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating your sleep and stress levels, and adding exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. These drugs are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve anxiety and depression symptoms if used in conjunction together with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, so they can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) boost the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain to improve 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 were originally developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant effects. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. People taking them shouldn't operate machinery or drive until they are sure of how they will react to the medication.
Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy can reduce stress and boost happiness. Klarity can assist you in finding certified providers who can provide online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more information and make an appointment today.