How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression

When a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating the first disorder can improve the other. Mental health professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most commonly used antidepressants prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These drugs increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. They also help improve concentration.

1. Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It's part of a group known as central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances inside your brain. It can be taken in the form of tablets, liquids chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also be administered through the skin.

It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. You should inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may be suffering from. Certain medications, specifically stimulants, can make these conditions worse. In some instances, you may need both a anti-anxiety and a stimulant drug.

Methylphenidate can cause side effects, including 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 suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy or nursing, so let your doctor know whether you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is important to drink enough fluids while you take it. Ask your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing tablets. You should not chew or crush these medications therefore, if you experience trouble eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medications that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks, such as yogurt, applesauce or pudding.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an antidepressant that is part of the class of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged six years and over. It is also used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.

Adults with ADHD typically suffer from comorbid anxiety and depression. It is essential to treat these disorders in order to feel better and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health issues can interact with ADHD medication, so it is essential to disclose any other medical issues you might have.

Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by many symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these ailments. They can also help improve focus and concentration for those who can prescribe adhd medication suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They typically work by increasing the quantity of neurotransmitters within the brain, and have a low risk of misuse and abuse.

In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression The medication had promising results. It improved ADHD ratings as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.

It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medication such as MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if 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 reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug boosts levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that this medication is not recommended as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients seek treatment from a licensed psychiatrist and/or therapist.

There have been a variety of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled studies that are randomized and 2 post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size of these studies was very small.

The medication can also cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and aren't a problem for anyone who takes this medication. Some people who take atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies of children and adolescents who took the drug. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.

Like stimulants, atomoxetine is also effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact in an investigation of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than a placebo. This is a promising outcome which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. It will take more study to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types of anxiety disorders that have a comorbidity.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion is a medication that does not stimulate that increases a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may recommend this drug in capsule form which is usually taken one or twice daily. It's also associated with some serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.

Anxiety is a condition that triggers an intense fear and a sense of restlessness. It can cause symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, shortness in breath, and feelings such as dread or fear. People suffering from anxiety disorders frequently struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce their symptoms.

Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions as well as a lack of self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, like the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can result in feelings of anger and failure.

Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can ease anxiety symptoms, as do nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, however these medications work differently than stimulants.

Although antidepressants haven't been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD Your doctor could prescribe them on their own or in conjunction with a stimulant, though they are typically not prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. Talking to a mental health professional can be beneficial in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Lifestyle and routine changes can also be helpful for managing these disorders. You can, for example, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your stress and sleep patterns, and adding fitness into your routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

In certain situations the mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve anxiety and depression symptoms if taken along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to improve anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro), increase levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain to boost your mood and decrease 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 after the three rings of their chemical structure, were originally created as antipsychotics but were later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Tricyclics can adhd medication help with memory also reduce the sensitivity of a person where to get prescribed adhd medication noise, enhance sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. The people taking them shouldn't operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are certain of what reaction they'll have to the medication.

Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can help you find licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is cost-free and convenient. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.