Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
About 50% of people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety disorders. Treatment options for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can be effective in enhancing focus and attention. They work by keeping already activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They can cause the tics of your brain and can increase your heart rate a little.
Stimulants
When treating ADHD, doctors often start with stimulants such as methylphenidates or amphetamines. These drugs work quickly to increase concentration and decrease the risk of impulsivity. They can reduce anxiety in some people by boosting norepinephrine levels. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances, and carry the risk of addiction and abuse. Some adults can tolerate them quite well. They do induce insomnia in the beginning which could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms when the medication has worn off or due to a change in sleep patterns. This can be minimized by taking the medication only every day, rather than three or four times, and also by developing regular routines for sleeping.
Potential side effects from stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and changes in vision or hearing. They may also trigger weight loss or anorexia particularly if they are used in high doses. The stimulants can also cause mood instability in some individuals, and cause manic or psychotic symptoms to manifest. They are not recommended for people suffering from bipolar disorders or severe anorexia. Mood swings may occur when stimulants suddenly stopped. In these situations it is essential to slowly decrease in the dosage.
Medications to treat anxiety that are different than ADHD can be prescribed to people suffering from the disorder. Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance are able to help with depression and anxiety that are related to ADHD. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them for ADHD however, medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant medications for ADHD are slower to work, but can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase attention. They are less likely than stimulants to trigger an increase in heart rate or agitation because they do not increase the amount of norepinephrine within the brain. This class of medications includes strattera (atomoxetine) and Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
A combination of strategies can be utilized to manage ADHD and anxiety, such as behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapies and medication. The most effective treatment for anxiety and ADHD is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy assists in teaching skills that can reduce anxiety in people like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and calming techniques. Certain children with ADHD also suffer from anxiety. In these instances, the most effective strategy is to treat the ADHD first, and then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will help the child be more focused at school and suffer less anxiety that is related to ADHD. It is important to regularly attend therapy sessions to reap the maximum benefits. A doctor might prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety, if needed. adhd and depression medication could be a tricyclic medication, such as Tofranil. If the anxiety is not treated, it can interfere with a child's ability to participate in therapy and gain benefits from it. It is important to establish the correct diagnosis and the treatment correct the first time.