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

When a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, addressing the first condition can often improve the second. Mental health professionals typically prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression along with an ADHD medication.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also improve concentration.

1. Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults with ADHD, anxiety, or depression. It's part of a class of medicines known as central nervous system stimulants. It is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of chewable tablets, liquids or an extended-release capsule. It can be administered through the skin.

It is not unusual for people with ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is essential to tell your doctor if you are suffering from depression or anxiety as certain medications, including stimulants, can cause them to worsen. In some instances, you may require both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant drug.

Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments dealing with adhd without medication your doctor to examine these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People with phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who have difficulty metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also not recommended to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so inform your doctor whether you are expecting or planning to become pregnant.

You shouldn't operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you have problems taking tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, consult your doctor about liquid medications that can be added to soft food or drinks like applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine is a drug that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by altering the quantity of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder for adults.

Adults with ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment of these conditions is important to make people feel better and perform at their best at work and home. Certain medication used to treat mental disorders may interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to discuss any other medical issues.

Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, as they involve a variety of symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine) are commonly used to treat these conditions and can help 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, and have a low potential for misuse and abuse.

In studies of LDX in adults suffering from ADHD and depression, the medication showed promising results. It helped improve ADHD ratings, as well as executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.

Tell your doctor about any other medications are taking place for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid or linezolid, as well as methylene blue (Nardil) or phenelzine selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be consumed within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. It is also important to let your doctor know if are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication.

3. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and decreases anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to note, however, that this medication is not recommended as a treatment on its own for anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that a person receives treatment from a qualified psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

There have been a variety of studies conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled studies that are randomized and two post-hoc analyses of subgroups. In the majority of cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However, it is important to note that the overall sample size of these studies was limited.

Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain as well as rapid heart rate. These effects are typically minimal and are not observed for everyone who takes the medication. Certain people who take atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed in short-term clinical studies with adolescents and children who took the drug. These trials didn't result in suicides.

As with stimulants, atomoxetine is also 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 an encouraging result that suggests that this medication could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when paired with other treatments. It will take further research to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types anxiety disorders that are comorbid.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical transmits messages between brain cells, and boosting it can help concentration and control of impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and taken once or twice daily by your doctor. There are also serious side effects like suicidal thoughts or liver damage.

Anxiety is a condition that causes an intense fear and a sense of anxiety and. It can trigger symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, shortness in breath, and feelings such as dread or fear. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite efforts to lessen their symptoms.

Certain people with ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like inattention and impulsiveness, could lead to feelings of frustration and failure.

Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help in easing anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, but these medications work differently than stimulants.

Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them on their own or in conjunction along with a stimulant. However, they typically aren't used in children and teens. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Changing your routine and lifestyle can help manage these disorders. You could, for instance, try meditating or doing yoga, regulating your stress and sleep patterns, and adding exercises into your daily routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

A mental health professional may recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. These drugs are not FDA approved to treat ADHD however they can help improve depression and anxiety symptoms when used in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They are therefore able to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. 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, so named after the three rings of their chemical structure, were first developed as antipsychotics and later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine.

Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of a person to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness so those taking them should refrain from driving or operating dangerous equipment until they are aware of how they will react to the medication.

Numerous lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed providers for convenient, insurance-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment now.