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 prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It is part of a class called central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken as 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 be suffering from. Certain medications, specifically stimulants, can make these conditions worse. In certain instances you may have to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also raise blood pressure and heart rates and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments with your physician to check these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by those suffering from a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty processing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. It is essential to drink enough fluids when you are taking it. Consult your physician if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience difficulty eating solid foods consult your physician about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug in the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amounts of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in children and adults six years old and over. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder for adults.
Adults with ADHD are frequently afflicted with anxiety and depression disorders. The treatment of these conditions is important to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Some medications that treat mental illnesses may affect ADHD medication. It is important to be honest about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by a variety of symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these ailments and may enhance 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 medication showed promising results in studies that involved people suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It helped improve ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication that include MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) as well as Methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be consumed for 14 days following the use of lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug boosts levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and depressive symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a certified psychiatrist and/or therapist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most instances 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 very small.
This medication can cause some adverse effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are typically minor and do not affect anyone who takes this medication. In some instances, people who take atomoxetine experience 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 can also be effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact, in an investigation of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed the placebo. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. It will take more studies to determine if atomoxetine can be effective in click here other forms of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant, increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form which is usually taken one or twice a day. There are also serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes intense, persistent fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and emotions like fear or dread. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to lessen them.
Some people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions, and a loss of self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsiveness, could lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, although these medications work differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or together with a stimulant, but they're not typically prescribed for children and teens. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. 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 disorders. For instance, you could, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels, and including exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations an expert in mental health may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however they can sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorslike fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your 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 as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, therefore, those taking them should avoid driving or operating dangerous equipment until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more information and make an appointment today.