How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and anxiety or depression treating one condition usually improves the other. Mental health professionals usually prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the first choice medication for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It's part of a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It is also available via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders like anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may have. Certain medications, especially stimulants can make these conditions worse. In certain situations, you might require both a medication to treat anxiety 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 examine these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by those with a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty processing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should tell your doctor if you plan to get pregnant.
You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you have problems taking tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into 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 altering the levels of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children aged six years and over. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder for adults.
Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid anxiety and depression. Treatment for these disorders is important to help people feel better and perform at their best at work and at home. Some medications used to treat mental disorders can interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is important to discuss any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are often prescribed to treat these disorders and may increase focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They typically work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and they have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies that involved adults with ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It helped improve ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor about any other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. Tell adhd without medication that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks help from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
Numerous studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies comprise nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than placebo. However, it is important to note that the size of the study was limited.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who use atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who were taking the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, atomoxetine was more effective than a placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. Further research is required to determine if Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. adhd and depression medication transmits messages between brain cells and increasing it can aid concentration and control impulses. Your doctor might recommend this drug in capsule form which is usually taken one or twice a day. There are some serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that triggers intense fear and nervousness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and feelings like dread or fear. People suffering from anxiety disorders frequently struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to reduce their symptoms.
Some people suffering from ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions and also a loss of self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD -- such as inattention deficit, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -can also result in feelings of anger or disappointment.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, although these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or together with a stimulant, but they typically aren't used in children and teens. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. This involves talking to an expert in mental health, and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Lifestyle and routine changes can also help in managing these disorders. You can, for example try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating stress and sleep patterns, and adding exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may occasionally improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to alleviate anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. 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 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, so named after the three rings in their chemical structure, were initially designed as antipsychotics, and later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine, and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also improve sleep, lower blood pressure and reduce the sensitivity of a person to sounds. They can cause drowsiness, so those taking them should refrain from driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet that is rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. If adhd without medication struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for easy, cost-free online mental health services. Learn more about our services and make an appointment today.