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

When a person has both ADHD and depression or anxiety treating one of the conditions often improves the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression, or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.

Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are the most commonly used antidepressants prescribed “off-label” for ADHD. These drugs 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 popular medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression or anxiety. It’s a part of a group of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants and is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances within your brain. It can be taken as a tablet, liquid, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin.

It is not unusual for people who suffer from ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders like depression or anxiety. It is important that you inform your doctor if have anxiety or depression because certain medications, including stimulants can cause them to get worse. In certain instances you may have to take both an anti-anxiety medication and a stimulant medication.

Methylphenidate can cause side effects, including headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments with your physician to check these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). It is not recommended by those suffering from a genetic disorder called phenylketonuria, which causes difficulty in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It can be dangerous to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.

You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication. If you experience difficulty swallowing tablets, ask your physician about extended-release capsules or oral disintegrating tablets. It is not recommended to chew or crush these medications, so if you have trouble eating solid food, talk to your doctor about liquid medicine that can be mixed with soft food or drinks such as applesauce, yogurt or pudding.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine in the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults who are six years old and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorders in adults.

Adults with ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. Treatment of these conditions is crucial to make people feel better and do their best at work and home. Certain medication used to treat mental disorders can interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to be open about any other medical issues.

Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, as they involve a variety of symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are commonly prescribed to treat these disorders. They can also improve concentration and focus in people with ADHD/ADHD. They typically work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain, and they have a low risk of misuse and abuse.

The drug showed promising results in studies involving adults with ADHD, anxiety or depression. It reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe for use.

Tell your doctor if any other medications are being taken for example, MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken for 14 days following the use of the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.

3. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking the reuptake neurotransmitter. The drug raises levels of this chemical within the brain to increase alertness, reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead it is recommended that a person seek treatment from a licensed psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

A variety of studies have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine patients suffering from ADHD and other anxiety disorders that are comorbid. These studies comprise 9 controlled trials that were randomized and 2 post hoc subgroup analyses. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better assessed with atomoxetine than placebo. It is important to keep in mind that the sample size of these studies was very small.

Some of the side effects associated coping with adhd without medication this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These side effects are usually minor and are not seen for everyone who takes the medication. Some people who use atomoxetine have reported thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.

As with stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In fact in an earlier study of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine performed better than a placebo. This is a promising outcome that suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments. Further research is needed to determine whether Atomoxetine is also a treatment effectively for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug increases the amount of noradrenaline that is found in the brain. This chemical is responsible for sending messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may recommend this medication in capsule form typically taken once or twice daily. It’s also linked to more serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage.

Anxiety is a disorder that causes persistent, intense anxiety and a sense of restlessness. It can trigger symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and emotions like anxiety or dread. Many people suffering from anxiety disorders struggle with controlling their symptoms despite trying to manage them.

People with ADHD can experience anxiety, and. The condition can cause issues with emotions and relationships, as well as a lack of self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD include forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention and impulsive behavior- can also lead to feelings of disappointment or failure.

Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can ease anxiety symptoms, and so can nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay), and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications are different from stimulants.

Antidepressants may be prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They are prescribed either on their own or in conjunction with stimulants. However they aren’t typically prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a third treatment option. Consulting with a mental-health professional can be effective in treating anxiety as well as ADHD. Changes in routine and lifestyle can also help in managing these disorders. You could, for instance, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your stress and sleep patterns, and including exercise into your daily routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

A mental health professional could recommend antidepressants to you as part of your treatment. They are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve anxiety and depression symptoms if combined together with stimulants. Antidepressants boost serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors — such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost the levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to improve 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 were initially developed as antipsychotics, but later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Tricyclics can also lessen the sensitivity of people to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. Patients taking them should not operate machinery or drive until they are sure of what reaction they’ll have to the medication.

Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including taking exercise, sleeping enough and eating a nutritious diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness-based practices and other types of therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress and boost happiness. And, if you’re struggling to manage your anxiety and adhd medication and pregnancy, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for easy, cost-free online mental health care. Learn more about our services, and then make an appointment now.