How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If a person is suffering from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first condition can often improve the other. Mental health professionals usually prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and 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 or anxiety. It's part of a group known as central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as tablets that can be chewed, liquid or extended-release capsule. It can also be given through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is crucial to tell your doctor if you have anxiety or depression because certain medications, including 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 as well as stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, so you should keep regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by people who have a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, who have trouble in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so let your doctor know if 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. It is important to drink enough fluids while you are taking it. Ask your doctor if have trouble swallowing tablets. Do not crush or chew these medications. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be added to soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nervous system stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years of age and up. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. It is essential to treat these disorders to help them feel better and perform their best at work and at home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medications, so it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also help improve concentration and focus for people who suffer from 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 produced promising results in studies conducted with adults with ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It improved ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor if any other medications are being used for example, MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken for 14 days after the use of 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 non-stimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake neurotransmitter. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this medication should not be used as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks help from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a variety of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. It is important to note that the sample size of these studies was small.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are usually mild and do not occur for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent research study, the atomoxetine medication 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 used with other treatments. It will take further studies to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that boosts a chemical in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may offer you the drug in capsules typically taken once or twice a day. There are here some serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that triggers intense fear and nervousness. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath, as well as anxiety or fear. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms despite trying to reduce the severity of their symptoms.
People suffering from ADHD may suffer from anxiety, too. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions and also a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications are different from stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them on their own or in conjunction with a stimulant, though they're not typically prescribed for adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. This involves talking with a mental health professional, and it's sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in routine and lifestyle can be beneficial in managing these conditions. For instance, you can try yoga or meditation as well as reducing sleep and stress and incorporating physical exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations, a mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment program. They're not 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 boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to improve anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as 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 potent antidepressant properties. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also help sleep, lower blood pressure and lower a person’s sensitivity to sounds. They can cause drowsiness, therefore, those taking them should refrain from driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they know how they'll react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can all aid in reducing ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness-based practices as well as other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and increase happiness. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services and book an appointment today.