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 professionals usually prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.
Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and help improve concentration.
1. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the most popular medication for adults suffering from ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It's part of a group called central nervous stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available in the form of tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is essential to inform your doctor if have anxiety or depression because certain medications, including stimulants can cause them to get worse. In certain situations it is possible to take a stimulant and an anti-anxiety medication.
Methylphenidate may cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate and therefore, you should schedule regular visits to your physician to check these. It can also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). It is not recommended by those with a genetic disorder called Phenylketonuria. These people have difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so let your doctor know whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is vital to drink plenty of fluids when you are taking it. If you experience difficulty swallowing tablets, consult your doctor about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be added to soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.
2. Lisdexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine is a drug within the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children aged 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.
Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Treatment of these conditions is essential to make people feel better and do their best at work and home. Some medications that are typically used to treat mental health conditions can interact with ADHD medications, so it is crucial to be open about any other medical issues that you may have.
Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also help improve concentration and focus in people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. They are not at risk for misuse and abuse.
The drug showed promising results in studies that involved adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. 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, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.
3. Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug raises levels of this chemical within the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety, and 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 with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. 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 does adhd medication work the sample size in these studies was small.
The medication can also cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain and a rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect anyone who takes this medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who were taking the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.
Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact the results of an investigation of adults suffering from ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine outperformed an placebo. This is an encouraging result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. It will take more study to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.
4. Bupropion
Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may recommend this drug in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day. It's also associated with some serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.
Anxiety is a disorder that can cause an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It may cause symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath, as well as anxiety or fear. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms, despite trying to reduce the severity of their symptoms.
Certain people with ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. Symptoms of untreated ADHD include forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention and impulsive behaviorcan also result in feelings of disappointment or failure.
Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used to treat ADHD in adults, but these drugs function differently than stimulants.
While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them as a single drug or with a stimulant, though they are typically not prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Talking 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 conditions. For instance, you could consider practicing yoga or meditation as well as reducing stress and sleep habits and incorporating exercise into your daily life.
5. Tricyclic antidepressants
In certain situations, a mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment plan. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve anxiety and depression symptoms if used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can aid in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -like 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 in their chemical structure, were initially designed as antipsychotics, and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they know how they will react to the medication.
Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains could all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding certified providers who can provide online mental health care that is cost-free and convenient. Find out more about our services, and then make an appointment today.