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 professionals prescribe antidepressants, stimulants for depression or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.

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

1. Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the most popular treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It is part of a class called central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances in your brain. It can be taken as a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can be administered through the skin.

It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. You should inform your doctor about any anxiety or depression you may be suffering from. Certain medications, especially stimulants, can make these conditions worse. In some cases you may have to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.

Methylphenidate may cause adverse effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It can also raise blood pressure and heart rates, so you should make regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). It is not recommended by people who have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, who have trouble processing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy and nursing, so inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.

When taking methylphenidate, you should not operate a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is essential to drink enough fluids when you are taking it. Ask your doctor if you have trouble swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications therefore, if you experience difficulties eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks, such as applesauce, yogurt or pudding.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the family of central nerve system stimulants. It affects the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children of 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.

Adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to make people feel better and do their best at work and at home. Some medication used to treat mental disorders can interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to discuss any other medical concerns.

Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by a variety of symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also improve focus and concentration for those with ADHD or ADHD. They typically work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and they have a low potential for misuse and abuse.

The drug showed promising results in studies that involved adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. It helped improve ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.

Tell your doctor if any other medications are being taken for example, MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician whether you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredients in this medication.

3. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant new adhd medication medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug increases levels of this chemical in the brain to improve alertness, reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to note that this medication for adhd and anxiety in adults should not be used as a treatment on its own for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks treatment from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.

There have been a number of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine in patients with ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies comprise nine controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to remember that the sample size in these studies was very small.

This medication is also known to cause a few side effects, including abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect anyone who takes this medication. Some people who use Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies on adolescents and children who can prescribe adhd medication took the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.

As with stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. 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 in combination with other treatments for both disorders. It will take more studies to determine if atomoxetine is effective in other forms of comorbid anxiety disorders.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion, a non medication treatment for adhd-stimulant drug, boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist with concentration and impulse control. Your doctor may offer you this drug in capsule form, usually taken once or twice a day. There are also serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.

Anxiety is a disorder that causes an intense fear and a sense of nervousness. It can cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, as well as feelings of anxiety or dread. Many people with anxiety disorders struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to manage their symptoms.

Certain people suffering from ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, and a loss of self-esteem. Signs of untreated generic adhd medications like inattention deficit, forgetfulness and impulsive behaviorcan also cause feelings of anger or disappointment.

Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help ease anxiety symptoms, and so can non-stimulant medications like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like Clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be used for ADHD in adults, although these medications work differently than stimulants.

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 are typically not prescribed to adolescents or children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. It involves speaking with a mental health professional and is sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Changes in your lifestyle and routine can help you manage these issues. You can, for example try meditation or yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels and including exercise into your daily routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD, but they can occasionally improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can aid in reducing symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa) and escitalopram(Lexapro) boost 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, named for the three rings of their chemical structure, were originally designed as antipsychotics, and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.

Tricyclics can also help sleep, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the person's sensitivity to sounds. They can cause drowsiness therefore, those taking them should avoid driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.

Exercise taking enough rest, and eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains could all help to improve ADHD and anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness and other forms therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. If you're struggling to manage your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for convenient, insurance-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services and make an appointment today.