How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and depression or anxiety treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These medications increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It is part of a class known as central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available as chewable tablets, liquids or an extended-release capsule. It can also be administered through the skin.
It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as some medications, especially stimulants, can cause them to get worse. In certain instances you may have to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate may cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should make regular appointments with your doctor to monitor these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements on your face). It should not be taken by those with a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so you should let your doctor know whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is important to drink plenty of fluids when you take it. Consult your physician if you have trouble swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience trouble eating solid food, talk to your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as yogurt, applesauce or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an antidepressant that is part of 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 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and children aged 6 years and up. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. It is important to treat these conditions to help them feel better and perform their best both at work and at home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medication, so it is crucial to disclose any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complex disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also improve concentration and focus for people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies conducted with people suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.
Tell your doctor if any other medications are taking place, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed for 14 days after the administration 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 thought to work by blocking the neurotransmitter reuptake. The drug boosts levels of this chemical within the brain to improve alertness, decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication is not to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that an individual receives treatment from a qualified psychiatrist and/or therapist.
There have been a myriad of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. However it is important to remember that the sample size of these studies was limited.
Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically mild and do not occur for everyone who takes the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who took the medication. These trials did not result in suicides.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine may also be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent research study, atomoxetine was more effective than placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising outcome which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. Further research is needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that increases a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. The chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells and increasing it can aid check here concentration and control impulses. Your doctor might recommend this medication 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 condition that causes persistent, intense fear and anxiety. It can trigger symptoms like stomachaches, headaches shortness of breath, as well as feelings of dread or panic. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
People with ADHD may experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions, as well as a lack of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like inattention and impulsiveness, could lead to feelings of frustration and inability.
Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant medications like 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.
Antidepressants may be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or in conjunction with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help you manage these issues. You can, for example, try meditating or doing yoga, regulating your insomnia and stress levels, and adding exercises into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations, a mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if taken with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to improve anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors -- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin to boost 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 originally developed as antipsychotics, but later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant effects. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics also improve sleep, lower blood pressure and lower a person’s sensitivity to sounds. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People who are taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they know how they will react to the medication.
A variety of 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 help reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is insurance-free and convenient. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment today.