How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person is suffering from both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating the first condition can often help the second. Mental health professionals usually prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It is in a class of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants. It is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances in 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 who suffer from ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders like anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may be suffering from. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some cases, you may need to take a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should make regular appointments with your physician to examine these. It may also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have trouble metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence. It is important to drink plenty of fluids when you are taking it. Ask your doctor if have trouble swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience trouble eating solid food discuss with your doctor about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children 6 years of age and older. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD often have comorbid anxiety and depression. It is essential to treat these conditions in order to feel better and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medication, so it is essential to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also help improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD/ADHD. They usually work by increasing 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 depression, the medication showed promising results. It helped reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety and also improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe to use.
It is important to tell your doctor if taking any other medications that include MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox) and the methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days after 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 (Strattera) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug increases levels of this chemical in the brain to improve alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks help from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In the majority of cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. However it is important to note that the overall sample size of these studies was small.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and don't affect all people who take this medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who were taking the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can be effective in treating comorbid ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising outcome that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. More research is required to determine if Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively to treat other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. adhd medication online , a nonstimulant drug boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist with concentration and impulse control. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken every day, either once or twice by your physician. It's also associated with some serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches and breath shortness, and emotions like dread or fear. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite trying to reduce the severity of their symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD can develop anxiety, as well. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions as well as a lack of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can result in feelings of anger and failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, although these drugs work 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 children and teenagers. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can also help in managing these disorders. For instance, you could try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating sleep and stress levels, and adding exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment. These drugs aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, so they can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro), increase levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain to improve 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 were originally developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have potent antidepressant effects. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. Patients taking them should not drive or operate dangerous equipment until they are sure of the reaction they will experience to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Find out more information and make an appointment today.