Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can affect up to 50% of adults who have ADHD. Treatment strategies for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can help improve concentration and focus. They work by keeping receptors that are already "fired up" in your brain "turned-on". They can trigger tics, and also increase your heart rate.
Stimulants
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidates are the first medications doctors will typically try when treating ADHD. These drugs work quickly to increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in some people by increasing norepinephrine levels. The majority of stimulant drugs are controlled substances, which means they are prone to addiction and abuse. However, some adults find that they are able to tolerate them well. Initial insomnia can be caused by the medication wearing off or a change in sleeping patterns. This can be controlled by taking the medication only one time per day instead of taking it three or more times per week, and by creating regular sleeping patterns.
Stimulants can cause negative side effects like an abrupt increase in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats or changes in sound or vision. They can also trigger anorexia and weight loss, especially when taken in large doses. In addition, stimulants may increase the likelihood of mood instability in certain people and cause manic or psychotic symptoms manifest. They are not recommended for people with Tourette’s disorder, bipolar disorders or severe anorexia. They can cause mood swings if they are abruptly stopped. In these situations, it is important that you gradually reduce the dosage.
The use of medications to treat anxiety that are not related to ADHD can be prescribed to those suffering from the disorder. Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance can be helpful with depression and anxiety that are related to ADHD. These medications are often prescribed "off-label", for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them for ADHD however, research in the field does not support this use.
Non-stimulant ADHD medicines are slower to act however they can help reduce the impulsivity of children and improve attention. They don't affect the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain as much as stimulants do, and they are less likely to trigger an increase in heart rate or agitation. adhd and depression medication that fall under this class of drugs include strattera (atomoxetine) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and guanfacine in ER (Intuniv and Tenex).
A combination of strategies can be employed to manage ADHD and anxiety, such as behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapies and medications. Research has demonstrated that the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies helps teach skills that can reduce anxiety in people like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also have problems with anxiety, and in those cases, the best strategy is to treat the ADHD first, and then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will help the child concentrate better at school and suffer less anxiety due to ADHD. It is important to attend regularly therapy sessions to reap the maximum benefit. Then, if needed, a physician may suggest an additional medication for psychiatric disorders to help treat the anxiety. This could be a tricyclic such as Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated it could hinder the child's ability to take part in and benefit from therapy. This is why it is essential to determine the cause and treatment correct the first time.