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

If a person suffers from both ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.

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

1. Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate is also known under the brand name Ritalin is the most common adhd medications popular treatment for adults suffering from inattentive adhd medication and anxiety or depression. It's a part of a group of medications called central nervous system stimulants and is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of a liquid, chewable tablet, or extended-release capsule. It can also be given via the skin.

It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD also to suffer from mood disorders such as depression or anxiety. It is essential to inform your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because some medications, especially stimulants can cause them get worse. In some cases it is possible to take stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.

Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to check these. It may also cause facial tics (quick, uncontrollable movements in your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who have difficulty metabolizing the phenylalanine drug should not take it. It is also dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing, so inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. It is important to drink enough fluids while you take it. If you experience difficulty swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to crush or chew these medicines. If you have difficulty eating solid foods, ask your doctor about liquid medications that can be mixed into soft food or drinks such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is a medication that belongs to the class of central nervous system stimulants. It works by altering the amount of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children of 6 years and older. It is sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.

Adults who suffer from ADHD frequently suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. Treatment for these disorders is crucial to aid people in feeling better and perform at their best at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medication, so it is important to be open about any other medical issues that you may have.

Depression and anxiety can be complex, as they both involve a wide range of symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these ailments. They also can improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD/ADHD. They work by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They are not at risk for misuse and abuse.

The drug showed promising results in studies that involved adults suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It improved ADHD ratings and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.

It is crucial to inform your doctor if taking any other medications that include MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan) and linezolid (Zyvox) and Methylene blue, phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and the tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medications should not be consumed for 14 days following the use of the use of lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.

3. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine, also called Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety and depressive symptoms. It is important to note that this medication is not recommended as a treatment on its own for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks help from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist.

A number of studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled studies that are randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In the majority of cases, both symptom improvement and cognition function were better measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. However it is important to remember that the number of participants in these studies was small.

The medication can also cause some 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 use Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials with adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.

Like stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent study the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo for adults suffering from 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. More research is needed to determine whether Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other types of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion, a non medication treatment for adhd-stimulant drug increases the chemical noradrenaline in the brain. This chemical passes messages between brain cells and increasing it can aid concentration and control impulses. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken every day, either once or twice by your physician. It's also linked to some serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.

Anxiety is a disorder that causes extreme fear and nervousness. It can trigger symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches and breath shortness, and feelings such as anxiety or dread. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to manage them.

People suffering from ADHD can sometimes suffer from anxiety, too. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions as well as a lack of self-esteem. If not treated, ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.

Non-stimulants like atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also assist to reduce anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine, (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications differ from stimulants.

Antidepressants may be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or in conjunction with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to adolescents and children. Psychotherapy is a different treatment option. This involves talking with a mental health professional and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. You could, for instance, try meditating or doing yoga, regulating stress and sleep patterns and including exercises into your daily routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if used in conjunction along with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels as well as norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -like fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can lift 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 were originally developed as antipsychotics, but later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These medicines include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Tricyclics can also lessen a person's sensitivity to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. People taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they know how they will react to the medication.

A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet high in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can help 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 services. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.