Why All The Fuss About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression?
Why All The Fuss About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety And Depression?
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How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and anxiety or depression treating one condition usually improves the other. Mental health professionals usually prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression along with an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and anxiety or depression. It belongs to a class called central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of tablets that can be chewed, liquid or an extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is essential to inform your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, including stimulants can cause them to worsen. In certain situations, you might require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant drug.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who have trouble metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is important to inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and somnolence. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Consult your physician if you have trouble swallowing tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines. If you are having difficulty eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be added to soft food or drinks like applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an antidepressant that is part of the family of central nervous system stimulants. It works by altering the levels of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children aged 6 years and up. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder for adults.
Adults with ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. It is important to treat these disorders in order to be more comfortable and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain drugs used to treat mental disorders can interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is important to be honest about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also improve concentration and focus for people with ADHD/ADHD. They typically improve the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. They have a low risk of misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and depression The medication produced promising results. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety 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 medication that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox) as well as the methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be taken for 14 days following lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also called Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain, which can increase alertness, decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not to be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a qualified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a number of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. It is important to note that the sample size in these studies was very small.
This medication can cause some adverse effects, including abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect all people who take this medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have expressed thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical trials with children and adolescents taking the drug. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In a recent study atomoxetine proved to be more effective than placebo for 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 combined with other treatments for both disorders. Further research is needed to determine whether the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively to treat other forms of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor might recommend this drug in capsule form which is usually taken one or twice a day. There are also serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath, and feelings of anxiety or dread. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them.
Some people with ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD include forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention, and impulsive behavior -can also result in feelings of disappointment or failure.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these drugs work differently from stimulants.
Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them on their own or in conjunction with a stimulant, though 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. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these conditions. You could, for instance, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels, and including fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some cases the mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment plan. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms when taken with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to improve anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can improve your mood and reduce 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 initially developed to treat schizophrenia, but they were later discovered to read more possess powerful antidepressant effects. These include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.
Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, so people taking them should refrain from driving or operating equipment that is dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as 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 reduce stress. If you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for affordable, insurance-free online mental health care. Find out more about our services and book an appointment today.