How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person suffers from both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating the first can usually improve the second. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression, or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the most popular medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety. It's a part of a group of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants and is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you might be suffering from. Certain medications, especially stimulants can make these conditions worse. In certain instances, you may need to take both a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by those suffering from an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
When you are taking methylphenidate, it is recommended that you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and sleepiness. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Consult your physician if you have trouble swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew on these medications. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug within the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in adults and children 6 years of age and older. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are often affected by anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment for these disorders is crucial to help people feel more relaxed and perform their best at work and home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medications, so it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these conditions and can help enhance focus and concentration in people with ADHD/ADHD. They typically improve the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and they have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression The medication had promising results. It helped reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety and also improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor if any other medications are being used for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine, or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug raises levels of this chemical within the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that this medication is not intended to be used as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.
A number of studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine patients suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases 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 of these studies was small.
The medication is also known to cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are usually minor and are not seen in all people who take the medication. Some people who use Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children taking the drug. These trials did not lead to suicides.
As with stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD that are comorbid. In fact in an investigation of people suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than a placebo. This is a promising result that suggests that this drug could be effective for treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments. It will take more study to determine if atomoxetine is also effective for other types 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. Increasing medications for adhd can help with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may recommend the drug in capsules, usually taken once or twice a day. It's also been linked to more serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that triggers an intense fear and a sense of restlessness. It can cause symptoms like headaches, stomachaches and breath shortness, and emotions like anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
Certain people with ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause problems with emotions and relationships, and also a loss of self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD -- such as forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention, and impulsive behavior -can also cause feelings of anger or disappointment.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs work differently from stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or together with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. This involves talking to a mental health professional and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help manage these conditions. For instance, you can consider practicing yoga or meditation as well as reducing insomnia and stress, and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants as part of your treatment. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to reduce anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can 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 first came into use to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline imipramine, and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics also improve sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the sensitivity of a person to sound. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people taking them shouldn't drive or operate dangerous equipment until they know how they will react to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest and eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains could all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.