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 usually prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety. It is part of a class known as central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, or extended-release capsules. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important to inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you might be suffering from. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these conditions worse. In some cases you may need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant medication.
adult adhd medication can have side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). It is not recommended by those with an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, who have trouble in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and drowsiness. It is essential to drink enough fluids when you are taking it. Consult your physician if you are having difficulty swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines, so if you have difficulties eating solid food discuss with your doctor about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. adult adhd medication is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and older. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment of these conditions is essential to aid people in feeling more relaxed and perform their best at work and at home. Some drugs used to treat mental conditions can interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to be open about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety can be complicated due to the fact that both can trigger many symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are often prescribed to treat these ailments and may increase focus and concentration in those suffering from ADHD/ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression, the medication showed promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if you're taking any other medication, including MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox) as well as Methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be consumed for 14 days following lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you 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 reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. It is important to remember, however, that this medication is not recommended as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seek treatment from a licensed therapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a myriad of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were more accurately measured with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size of these studies was very small.
Some of the side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually minimal and aren't a problem for all people who take this medication. Some people who use Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children taking the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact in a recent study of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than a placebo. This is a promising result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. More research will be needed 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. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may recommend this drug in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day. It's also been linked to some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes intense, persistent fear and restlessness. It may cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, breathlessness, and feelings of dread or panic. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen their symptoms.
Certain people suffering from ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, and a loss of self-esteem. adhd medication uk of untreated ADHD include inattention deficit, forgetfulness and impulsive behavior- can also lead to feelings of disappointment or failure.
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 or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs work differently from stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or in conjunction with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can be beneficial in managing these conditions. You could, for instance try meditation or yoga, managing your stress and sleep patterns and adding exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can sometimes help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, so they can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to boost 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, so named after the three rings that make up their chemical structure, were originally designed as antipsychotics, and later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce a person's sensitivity to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness so people taking them should refrain from driving or operating dangerous equipment until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest, and eating a diet high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all aid in reducing ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding certified providers who can provide online mental health services that is cost-free and convenient. Find out more about our services and make an appointment today.