How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
When a person has both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD « off-label ». These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression. It’s a part of a group of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in 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 have co-occurring mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is crucial to inform your doctor if suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, including stimulants, can cause them to get worse. In some cases you may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It can also raise blood pressure and heart rates which is why you should make regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It may also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). It should not be taken by those with an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, who have trouble processing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It is important to inform your doctor that you intend to get pregnant.
You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you experience difficulty taking tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a medication within the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the quantity of certain natural adhd medication substances inside the brain. It is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (safest adhd medication) in adults and children of 6 years or older. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders for adults.
Adults with ADHD are frequently afflicted with anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to treat these conditions to help them feel better and perform at their best, both at work and at home. Some medications that treat mental illnesses can affect ADHD medication. It is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues.
Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, since they can trigger many symptoms. Certain antidepressants, like Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are often prescribed to treat these ailments and can help enhance focus and concentration in people with ADHD or ADHD. They are effective by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are low-risk for abuse and misuse.
The medication showed promising results in studies that involved adults suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe to use.
Inform your doctor if other medications are taking place for example, MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. It is also important to let 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 used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug increases levels of this chemical within the brain, which can increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication should not, however, 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 examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies comprise nine randomized controlled trials as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most instances, both improvement in symptoms and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than the placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size in these studies was small.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are usually minor and are not seen in all people who take the medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine report thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine may be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. More research is needed to determine whether Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical passes messages between brain cells and boosting it can help concentration and control impulses. Your doctor may recommend this drug in capsule form typically taken once or twice a day. It’s also linked to more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes persistent, intense fear and anxiety. It can trigger symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, breathlessness, and feelings of dread or panic. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to manage their symptoms, despite trying to reduce them.
Certain people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, and also a loss of self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can cause feelings of frustration and inability.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to ease anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, although these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven’t been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or with a stimulant, though they’re not typically prescribed for children and teens. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking coping with adhd without medication a mental-health professional can be effective in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. You can, for example, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels, and adding exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations an expert in mental health may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. They’re not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes improve symptoms of anxiety and depression if taken alongside stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, which can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) boost the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain to improve 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 as antipsychotics, but later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant effects. These drugs include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of people to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness so people who are taking them should stay away from driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they know how they’ll react to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also help to reduce stress. And, if you’re struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity Can a doctor prescribe adhd medication without a diagnosis connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment today.