How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression<br /><br />If someone has ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health specialists prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication.<br /><br />Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.<br /><br />1. Methylphenidate<br /><br />Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and anxiety or depression. It's a part of a group of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available in the form of chewable tablets, liquids, or an extended-release capsule. It is able to be administered via the skin.<br /><br />It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to suffer from co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, particularly stimulants can cause them to worsen. In some instances, you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.<br /><br />Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should maintain regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It is not recommended by those with a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, who have trouble metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so you should let your doctor know whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.<br /><br />You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause blurred vision, dizziness and sleepiness. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you have problems swallowing tablets, consult your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew on these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be added to soft food or drinks, such as applesauce yogurt, or pudding.<br /><br />2. Lisdexamfetamine<br /><br />Lisdexamfetamine is a drug within the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances within 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 also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.<br /><br />Adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment for these disorders is essential to help people feel better and do their best at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health issues may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is essential to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.<br /><br />Depression and anxiety can be a tangled mess, as they both involve a wide range of symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are frequently used to treat these ailments and can help improve concentration and focus in those suffering from ADHD or ADHD. <a href="https://hester-tobin.thoughtlanes.net/your-family-will-thank-you-for-having-this-does-adhd-medication-work">add in adults medication</a> work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.<br /><br />The medication produced promising results in studies conducted with adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. It decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe for use.<br /><br />It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) or linezolid (Zyvox) and methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be consumed within 14 days after lisdexamfetamine. You should also inform your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication.<br /><br /><br /><br />3. Atomoxetine<br /><br />Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is thought to work by blocking reuptake neurotransmitter. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug enhances alertness and decreases anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used as a sole treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.<br /><br />A number of studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine patients with ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies comprise 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post hoc subgroup analysis. In the majority of cases, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of improvement in symptoms and cognitive function. However it is important to remember that the overall sample size of these studies was small.<br /><br />Some of the side effects associated with this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect all people who take this medication. Certain people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.<br /><br />Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent research study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo in treating adults with social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. More research is required to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively to treat other forms of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other.<br /><br />4. Bupropion<br /><br />Bupropion, a non-stimulant drug, boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. The chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells, and boosting it can help concentration and control of impulses. Your doctor may offer you the drug in capsules which is usually taken one or twice daily. It's also been linked to more serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and liver damage.<br /><br />Anxiety is a disorder that triggers extreme fear and nervousness. It can cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, breathlessness, and anxiety or fear. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them.<br /><br />Some people suffering from ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can lead to emotional and relationship problems, as well as low self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD like inattention deficit, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior -- can also lead to feelings of frustration or failure.<br /><br />Stimulants like methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine can ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medication like clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications differ from stimulants.<br /><br />Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD, your doctor may prescribe them on their own or in conjunction together with a stimulant, but they're not typically prescribed for teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a third treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can be beneficial in managing these disorders. For instance, you could try meditation or yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels, and adding exercise into your daily routine.<br /><br />5. Tricyclic antidepressants<br /><br />In some instances an expert in mental health might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment plan. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce anxiety and depression symptoms if taken along with stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can improve 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 initially developed as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include amitriptyline, imipramine and nortriptyline.<br /><br />Tricyclics can also reduce a person's sensitivity to noise, improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause drowsiness. People who are taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are sure of how they will react to the medication.<br /><br />Exercise, getting enough rest and eating a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavioral therapy, can help reduce stress. If you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Find out more about our services and book an appointment today.<br /><br />