How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person has both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications boost levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It is in a class of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants. It is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of chewable tablets, liquids or an extended-release capsule. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may be suffering from. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In certain situations, you might need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your blood pressure and heart rate and you should make regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by those suffering from an inherited condition known as Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be added to soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication in the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children six years old and over. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid anxiety and depression. It is crucial to treat these disorders to help them feel better and perform at their best, both at work and at home. Certain drugs that treat mental illnesses may affect ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety can be complex because they both have many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these disorders and may improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD/ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression The medication had promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication such as MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox) as well as methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredient 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 the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not to be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a certified psychiatrist and/or therapist.
A variety of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled trials that were randomized as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However it is important to keep in mind that the number of participants in these studies was small.
The medication can cause a few side effects, including abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually 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 of adolescents and children who took the drug. These trials did not result in suicides.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in an investigation of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than an placebo. This is a promising result which suggests that this drug may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments. More research is required to determine if atomoxetine can also be used effectively for other types of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. medication for adhd is a nonstimulant medication that increases a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist in focusing and controlling impulses. This medication is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken at least twice a day by your doctor. It's also been linked to more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that triggers an intense fear and a sense of anxiety and. It may cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, as well as anxiety or fear. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them.
Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotional issues, as well as low self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD -- such as inattention deficit, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -can also result in feelings of frustration or failure.
Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to ease anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs differ from stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them alone or together with a stimulant, but they're not typically prescribed for teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. This involves talking to a mental health professional, and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these disorders. You can, for example try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating stress and sleep patterns, and including exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances an expert in mental health might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment plan. These drugs aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorslike fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to improve 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 are named for the three rings that make up their chemical structure, were originally designed as antipsychotics, and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people taking them should not drive or operate dangerous equipment until they know how they will react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. If you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.