How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first can usually help the second. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression or anxiety. It belongs to a class called central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin.
It is not uncommon for those with ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders like anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may be suffering from. Some medications, particularly stimulants, can make these conditions worse. In certain instances you may have to take an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, so you should keep regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). It should not be taken by people who have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, who have trouble metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing. You should tell your doctor if you are planning to get pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. Consult your physician if you are having difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications If you are having difficulties eating solid food discuss with your doctor about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft food or drinks like yogurt, applesauce or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an anthelminthic medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children aged 6 years or older. It is sometimes used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. It is important to treat these issues in order to feel better and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain drugs used to treat mental disorders can interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to be honest about any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess due to the fact that both can trigger many symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these ailments. They also can improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
The medication produced promising results in studies involving adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. It helped reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measurements. It was also safe to use.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication such as MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and the methylene blue, the phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be used for 14 days following lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any of the other ingredients in this 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. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seek treatment from a licensed therapist or psychiatrist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured with atomoxetine than the placebo. However, it is important to remember that the sample size of these studies was small.
Some of the side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine have thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials involving adolescents and children who took the drug. These trials did not lead to suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid ADHD and anxiety. In fact in an investigation of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than the placebo. This is a promising result that suggests that this drug may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. More research is required to determine if Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively to treat other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid with concentration and impulse control. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your physician. There are some serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a condition that causes intense, persistent fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, here as well as feelings of dread or panic. People suffering from anxiety disorders frequently struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them.
People with ADHD may develop anxiety, as well. The condition can lead to issues with relationships and emotions and low self-esteem. The symptoms of untreated ADHD include inattention deficit, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -can also result in feelings of frustration or failure.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can help ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used to treat ADHD in adults, but these drugs function differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or together with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to children and teenagers. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. It involves speaking with a mental health professional, and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these disorders. For instance, you can consider practicing yoga or meditation or managing insomnia and stress, and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional might suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms if combined with stimulants. Antidepressants boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, which can aid in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorslike fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the 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, so named for the three rings of their chemical structure, were originally developed as antipsychotics and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also lessen a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, so people who are taking them should stay away from driving or operating dangerous equipment until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can all aid in reducing ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness practices and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and boost happiness. Klarity can help you find licensed professionals who provide convenient online mental health care that is insurance-free and convenient. Learn more about our services and book an appointment today.