How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first can usually improve the second. Mental health professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression. It's part of a group known as central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken in the form of a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. You should tell your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants, can make these conditions worse. In some cases it is possible to take both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to examine 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 not recommended to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is important to drink plenty of fluids when you are taking it. Consult your physician if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your physician about liquid medicines that can be added to soft food or drinks such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It affects the quantity 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 disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often afflicted by anxiety and depression disorders. It is crucial to treat these issues to help them feel better and perform at their best both at work and at home. Some medication used to treat mental disorders can affect ADHD medication. It is crucial to be open about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, as they involve many symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also help improve concentration and focus for people with ADHD/ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and they are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies involving adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. It decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are being taken, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid and linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken for 14 days following the administration of lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform 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 preventing the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist or therapist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post-hoc subgroup analysis. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured with atomoxetine than the placebo. However, it is important to keep in mind that the number of participants in these studies was small.
The medication can also cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children taking the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact the results of a recent study of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine was found to outperform the placebo. This is a promising result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. It will require more study to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help in focusing and controlling impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken every day, either once or twice by your physician. There are also serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes constant, intense fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and feelings like anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite trying to manage them.
Some people suffering from ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions and low self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsiveness, could result in feelings of anger and feeling of failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can ease anxiety symptoms, as 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 differ from stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or together with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to children and teenagers. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help you manage these issues. For instance, you could consider practicing yoga or meditation as well as reducing insomnia and stress, and incorporating physical activity into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases an expert in mental health may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however they can occasionally improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, which can aid in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to 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 that make up their chemical structure, were initially designed as antipsychotics, and later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. medication for adults with add include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of people to noise, enhance sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are sure of what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest and eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. And, if you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health services. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.