How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person has both 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 frequently used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It is part of a class known as central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances inside your brain. It can be taken as tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is essential to inform your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, particularly stimulants, can cause them to worsen. In certain situations you may have to take both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). It is not recommended by those with a genetic disorder called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor if you plan to get pregnant.
You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is essential to drink enough fluids while you take it. Ask your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications, so if you have difficulties eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medications 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 family of central nerve system stimulants. It works by changing the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and up. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. The treatment of these conditions is essential to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions can interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is important to be open about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, as they involve a variety of symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these conditions and may enhance focus and concentration in people with ADHD/ADHD. They usually work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters within the brain, and have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies involving 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 like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking the neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug boosts levels of this chemical in the brain to improve alertness, reduce anxiety, and depression symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used as a sole treatment for 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 assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise 9 randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better measured with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to keep in mind 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 side effects are usually minor and do not affect everyone who takes this medication. Certain people who take atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported during short-term clinical studies with children and adolescents who took the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine could also be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study, atomoxetine was more effective than placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. More research will be required to determine if atomoxetine can also be used effectively for other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with adhd medication online each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that increases a chemical in the brain that is known as noradrenaline. This chemical transmits messages between brain cells, and increasing it can aid concentration and control impulses. Your doctor may offer you this medication in capsule form typically taken once or twice a day. It's also been linked to more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause an intense fear and a sense of restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, shortness in breath, and feelings like dread or fear. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms, despite trying to reduce the severity of their symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD can sometimes experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, as well as low self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, like the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can lead to feelings of frustration and inability.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can ease anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as Clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, although these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or in conjunction with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. Talking with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help you manage these issues. For instance, you could try meditation or yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels and incorporating exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases the mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can sometimes help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They can therefore help to improve anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the 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 were initially developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant effects. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. Patients taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they know how they will react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest, and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness-based practices as well as other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy can help reduce stress and boost happiness. Klarity can help you find licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health services that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.