What Is Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression And How To Make Use Of It
What Is Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression And How To Make Use Of It
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How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first can usually improve the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression, along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used 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 treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It's part of a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants and is a drug that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available as tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or extended-release capsule. It is also available via the skin.
It is not uncommon for those with ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is crucial to tell your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as some medications, especially stimulants can cause them to get worse. In certain situations it is possible to take stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can have side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should make 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 people who have an inherited condition known as Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy or nursing, so let your doctor know whether you are pregnant or planning to become 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. Consult your physician if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience trouble eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults aged 6 years and older. It is also used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD often have comorbid anxiety and depression. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to aid people in feeling more relaxed and perform their best at work and at home. Some medications used to treat mental disorders can affect ADHD medication. It is essential to be open about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are frequently used to treat these conditions, and they can improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD/ADHD. They help by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are not at risk for abuse and misuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies conducted with adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety or depression. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being used for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be consumed within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine or any 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 preventing the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and decreases anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a certified psychiatrist or therapist.
There have been a variety of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post-hoc subgroup analysis. In most instances the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However it is important to note that the sample size of these studies was limited.
Some of the side effects associated with this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and are not observed in everyone who takes the medication. In some instances, people who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who took the drug. These trials did not lead to suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine may be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In fact in a recent study of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than the placebo. This is a promising outcome that suggests that this medication could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. It will require more research to determine if atomoxetine may be also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that increases a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical transmits messages between brain cells, and by increasing it, it helps concentration and control of impulses. Your doctor may 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 extreme fear and restlessness. It can trigger symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, breathlessness, and feelings of anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, read more despite efforts to manage the severity of their symptoms.
Certain people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, and a loss of self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD -- such as the inability to pay attention, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -can also cause feelings of disappointment or failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, but these medications work differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them alone or together with a stimulant, but they typically aren't used in children and teens. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help you manage these issues. You can, for example try meditation or yoga, regulating your stress and sleep patterns, and adding exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances, a mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may occasionally improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, so they can improve symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorslike fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to boost 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, named for the three rings of their chemical structure, were originally developed as antipsychotics and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People taking them shouldn't operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they know how they will react to the medication.
Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet high in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health services that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.