How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person has both ADHD and anxiety or depression treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health professionals typically prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the first choice medication for adults with ADHD or anxiety depression. It's part of a group called 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, or extended-release capsules. It is also available through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. You should tell your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some instances, you may need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). It should not be taken by people who have a genetic disorder called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so you should inform your doctor whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Consult your physician if you have trouble swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications, so if you have difficulties eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft food or drinks like applesauce, yogurt or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It works by changing the amount of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children aged 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. It is essential to treat these disorders to help them be more comfortable and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain medication that treat mental illnesses can interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to be open about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety can be complex due to the fact that both can trigger a wide range of symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these disorders, and they can improve concentration and focus for people suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are not at risk for abuse and misuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies that involved people suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It helped improve ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are being used for example, MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking neurotransmitter reuptake. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a qualified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a number of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post-hoc subgroup analysis. In medication for adhd uk of cases, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of improvement in symptoms and cognitive function. However, it is important to remember that the size of the study was limited.
This medication can cause some adverse effects, such as abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These side effects are usually minimal and are not observed for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who use atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials with adolescents and children who took the drug. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in an investigation of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed the placebo. This is a promising result which suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. More research will be required to determine if Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that increases a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical passes messages between brain cells and by increasing it, it helps concentration and control impulses. Your doctor might recommend this drug in capsule form typically taken once or twice daily. There are some serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes intense, persistent fear and restlessness. It may cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, and anxiety or fear. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to reduce them.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can lead to problems with relationships and emotional issues, as well as low self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD like forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention and impulsive behaviorcan also result in feelings of anger or disappointment.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, however these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them alone or with a stimulant, though they typically aren't used in teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. This involves talking to 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 could, for instance try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating stress and sleep patterns, and adding exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve depression and anxiety symptoms if combined with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. 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 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 are named after the three rings of their chemical structure, were originally designed as antipsychotics, and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they know what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a balanced diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health services that is cost-free and convenient. Learn more about our services and book an appointment today.