How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and anxiety or depression treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health professionals typically prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It belongs to a class known as central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or extended-release capsule. It is able to be administered via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may have. Certain medications, specifically stimulants can make these disorders worse. In some cases you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant drug.
adhd depression medication can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It may also raise your heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also trigger facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who have trouble metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so you should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness, blurred vision and sleepiness. It is vital to drink plenty of fluids when you are taking it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medications. If you're having trouble eating solid foods, consult your physician about liquid medicines that can be added to soft food or drinks like applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an anthelminthic medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It works by altering the quantity of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and over. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults with ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Certain medications used to treat mental disorders may interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is important to be open about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess due to the fact that both can trigger a wide range of symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these conditions. They also can improve focus and concentration for those with ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies that involved adults with ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It helped improve ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are being used for example, MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as Methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking the neurotransmitter reuptake. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies include 9 controlled studies that are randomized and 2 post hoc subgroup studies. In the majority of cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were more accurately measured with atomoxetine than placebo. However it is important to remember that the overall sample size of these studies was limited.
The medication can cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These effects are usually mild and do not occur in everyone who takes the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials with adolescents and children who took the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine may be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In fact the results of an investigation of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than the placebo. This is a promising result which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. More research is required to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help with concentration and impulse control. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your physician. There are also serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes persistent, intense fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, shortness in breath, and feelings like dread or fear. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to manage them.
People with ADHD can experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, and a loss of self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD include the inability to pay attention, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -can also cause feelings of anger or disappointment.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to ease 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 medications are different from stimulants.
Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them on their own or in conjunction along with a stimulant. However, they typically aren't used in children and teens. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. Talking with a mental-health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can also be helpful for managing these disorders. You can, for example, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your sleep and stress levels and including exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional might suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes improve symptoms of depression and anxiety if taken alongside stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to improve anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within 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 first came into use to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have powerful antidepressant effects. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also improve sleep, reduce blood pressure and lower a person’s sensitivity to sound. They can cause drowsiness therefore, those taking them should refrain from driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet high in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices as well as other forms of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and increase happiness. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health services. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.