5 Must-Know Practices For Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression In 2023
How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and DepressionWhen a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating the first can usually improve 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 frequently used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It belongs to a class known as central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available as chewable tablets, liquids or an extended-release capsule. It can also be given via the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. It is essential to tell your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, particularly stimulants can cause them to worsen. In certain situations, you might need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have difficulty metabolizing the phenylalanine drug should not take it. It is also risky to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor if you plan to get pregnant.
You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you are having difficulty taking tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience difficulty eating solid foods, talk to your doctor about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks, such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are aged 6 years and over. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to treat these disorders in order to feel better and perform at their best both at work and at home. Some medications used to treat mental disorders may interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, as they involve many symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these ailments. They also can improve concentration and focus in people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters within the brain, and have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies conducted with adults with ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
It is crucial to inform your doctor if taking any other medications that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and the methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. The drug increases levels of this chemical in the brain, which can increase alertness, decrease 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 qualified psychiatrist and/or therapist.
A variety of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post hoc subgroup analyses. In most instances the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. It is important to keep in mind that the sample size in these studies was very small.
The medication is also known to cause some adverse effects, such as abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These effects are usually minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials with adolescents and children taking the drug. These trials did not result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine may be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In fact, in an investigation of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine was found to outperform an placebo. This is a promising outcome that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety in combination with other treatments for both disorders. It will require more studies to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid in focusing and controlling impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your physician. It's also been linked to some serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes intense fear and nervousness. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches and breath shortness, and emotions like dread or fear. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, as well as low self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD -- such as the inability to pay attention, forgetfulness and impulsive behavior- can also lead to feelings of frustration or failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can ease anxiety symptoms, as do non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications differ from stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or in combination with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option website for treatment. It involves speaking with an expert in mental health, and it's sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these conditions. For instance, you can try yoga or meditation as well as reducing insomnia and stress and incorporating physical exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases the mental health professional may recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. These drugs aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can occasionally improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to improve anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to lift your mood and decrease 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 originally developed as antipsychotics, but later discovered to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics also improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the sensitivity of a person to sound. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people who are taking them should not drive or operate dangerous equipment until they know what reaction they'll have to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest and eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains can all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health care that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.