How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and 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 medications boost levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine as well as dopamine. They also aid in improving concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin is the most popular medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It is part of a class called central nervous stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances inside your brain. It is available as a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders like anxiety or depression. It is essential to tell your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as some medications, especially stimulants can cause them to worsen. In certain instances, you may need to take an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.
Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have difficulty metabolizing phenylalanine should not take it. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.
While taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It can cause dizziness, blurred vision and drowsiness. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you are having difficulty swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew these medicines. If you have difficulty eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It works by altering the quantity of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children of 6 years and older. It is also used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD are frequently afflicted with anxiety and depression disorders. It is important to treat these conditions to help them feel better and perform their best both at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health issues can interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is essential to disclose any other medical issues you might have.
Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess, as they both involve a wide range of 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 or ADHD. They help by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are safe for misuse and abuse.
In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and depression The medication had promising results. 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 being taken for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as Methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam check here (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any of the other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking reuptake neurotransmitter. By increasing levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and decreases anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that patients seek treatment from a licensed 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 randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In most cases the results showed that atomoxetine was superior to placebo on both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. It is important to note that the sample size of these studies was very small.
This medication is also known to cause some side effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These side effects are usually minor and are not seen in everyone who takes the medication. Some people who use Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study the atomoxetine medication was more effective than a placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising result which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. It will take further research to determine if atomoxetine is effective in other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a drug that is not stimulant increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help with concentration and impulse control. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and taken at least twice a day by your physician. There are also some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that causes intense, persistent fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches and breath shortness, and emotions like dread or fear. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms despite trying to lessen them.
People with ADHD may experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions, and also a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as inattention and impulsiveness, could result in feelings of anger and feeling of failure.
Non-stimulants such as atomoxetine Qelbree and lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications work differently from stimulants.
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or together with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help manage these disorders. You could, for instance try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating your stress and sleep patterns, and incorporating fitness into your routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In some instances, a mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment plan. These drugs aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may occasionally improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiters, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to boost your mood and reduce 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 are named for the three rings in their chemical structure, were initially developed as antipsychotics and later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) as well as amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of a person to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. The people taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they know what reaction they'll have to the medication.
A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce stress and increase happiness. Klarity can help you find licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health services that is insurance-free and convenient. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.