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 can usually improve the second. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These drugs 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 medication to treat adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression. It's a part of a group of medications called central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of a liquid, chewable tablet or an extended-release capsule. It is also available through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is important that you inform your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, including stimulants can cause them get worse. In certain situations, you may need to take stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rate, so you should make regular visits to your physician to examine these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who are unable to process phenylalanine should not take it. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and somnolence. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew on these medications. If you're having trouble eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be added to soft food or drinks like 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 the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children six years old and over. It is also used to treat binge eating disorders for adults.
Adults with ADHD are often afflicted by depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Some medications that are typically used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is crucial to disclose any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are frequently used to treat these conditions and can help increase focus and concentration in those suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are safe for abuse and misuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression The medication produced promising results. It helped reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe for use.
Tell your doctor if any other medications are being used for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be used for 14 days after the administration of lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug boosts levels of this chemical in the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks help from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine patients with ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies comprise 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post hoc subgroup analysis. In the majority of cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. It is important to remember that the sample size of these studies was small.
Some of the side effects associated with this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine have thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported during short-term clinical studies on children and adolescents who took the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine is also effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In fact the results of an earlier study of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than an placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. It will require more study to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug, boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor might recommend this drug in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day. There are some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes persistent, intense fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches as well as breathlessness and feelings such as fear or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to manage the severity of their symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD may suffer from anxiety, too. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, as well as a lack of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can cause feelings of frustration and inability.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, and so can nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medication like clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications differ from stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in conjunction with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. Talking with a mental-health professional can be more info beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. For instance, you could try meditation or yoga, regulating your insomnia and stress levels and including exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve anxiety and depression symptoms if combined with stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can boost your mood and reduce your 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 to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, enhance sleep quality and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness therefore, those taking them should avoid driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Exercise and resting enough and eating a balanced diet high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains can all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce stress and increase happiness. Klarity can help you find licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.