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 specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It is part of a class known as central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is crucial to inform your doctor if are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, particularly stimulants, can cause them to worsen. In certain situations you may have to take an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It may also raise heart rate and blood pressure and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments with your doctor to monitor these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who are unable to process the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause blurred vision, dizziness and somnolence. It is important to drink enough fluids while you take it. Ask your doctor if you are having difficulty swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medications. If you're having trouble eating solid foods, ask your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks, such as applesauce yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years of age and up. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by anxiety and depression disorders. It is essential to treat these disorders to help them feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Some medication used to treat mental conditions may affect ADHD medication. It is essential to be open about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety can be complex because they both have various symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these ailments and can help enhance focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters within the brain, and have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies involving adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety or depression. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety and also improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking the neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug boosts levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist and/or therapist.
There have been a variety of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were more accurately measured with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to keep in mind that the sample size in these studies was very small.
The medication can also cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and aren't a problem for anyone who takes this medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies with children and adolescents who took the medication. These trials did not lead to suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In fact in an investigation of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine was found to outperform an placebo. 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 will be needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively to treat 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 is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may recommend this drug in capsule form typically taken once or twice a day. It's also been linked to more serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes constant, intense fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches and breath shortness, and feelings like dread or fear. Many people get more info suffering from anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms despite trying to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
Some people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, and a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can result in feelings of anger and failure.
Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine, Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medication like Clonidine (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs work differently from stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or along with a stimulant. However, they are typically not prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. This involves talking with a mental health professional and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these conditions. You can, for example try meditation or yoga, regulating sleep and stress levels and including exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations an expert in mental health may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment program. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve depression and anxiety symptoms when taken with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing 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) boost the 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 first came into use as antipsychotics, but later discovered to have powerful antidepressant effects. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also lessen a person's sensitivity to noise, improve sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, so people taking them should refrain from driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding certified providers who can provide online mental health services that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.