How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression
If someone has ADHD and depression or anxiety treating one condition usually improves the other. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression, or antidepressants, along with ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most frequently used antidepressants that are prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid in improving 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's part of a group called central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. relevant web page can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids chewable tablets, or 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 such as anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any depression or anxiety you may have. Some medications, particularly stimulants can make these disorders worse. In some cases, you may need to take both a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, such as headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rates, so you should make regular visits to your physician to examine these. It may also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have trouble metabolizing the phenylalanine drug should not take it. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy and nursing, so inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is essential to drink plenty of fluids when you take it. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an anthelminthic medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged six years and over. It is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders for adults.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. It is crucial to treat these disorders to help them feel better and perform their best, both at work and at home. Certain medications used to treat mental disorders can interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to discuss any other medical concerns.
Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, since they can trigger a variety of symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these disorders and may enhance focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the quantity of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies conducted with people suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It improved ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe for use.
It is essential to inform your doctor if you're taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), Methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be consumed within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. Inform your doctor if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. This medication is not to be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist or therapist.
There have been a variety of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled trials that were randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analysis. In most instances the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. It is important to keep in mind that the sample size in these studies was very small.
This medication is also known to cause some side effects, including abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These effects are typically minor and do not 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 involving children and adolescents taking the drug. These trials didn't result in suicides.
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 placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. Further research is needed to determine if Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that boosts a chemical 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. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and taken every day, either once or twice by your doctor. It's also been linked to some more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause extreme fear and restlessness. It can trigger symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, shortness in breath, and feelings like anxiety or dread. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen the severity of their symptoms.
Some people suffering from ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, like forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.
Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can help reduce anxiety symptoms, and so can 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 medications work differently than stimulants.
Antidepressants are often prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or together with stimulants. However, they are not usually prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second option for treatment. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can also help in managing these conditions. For instance, you can consider practicing yoga or meditation or managing sleep and stress and incorporating physical exercise into your daily routine.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
A mental health professional could 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 in your brain, so they can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to improve 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 were initially developed as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.
Tricyclics also improve sleep, reduce blood pressure and lower the sensitivity of a person to sounds. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are certain of how they will react to the medication.
Exercise taking enough rest and eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains could all help improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. Klarity can help you find certified providers who can provide online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more information and make an appointment today.