Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
About 50% of adults with ADHD also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Treatment options for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can increase focus and concentration. 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, like methylphenidates and amphetamines, are the first medications doctors usually try in treating ADHD. adhd medication adults work quickly to enhance concentration and decrease impulsivity. They can help alleviate anxiety in certain individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. The majority of stimulant drugs are controlled substances and therefore carry a risk of abuse and addiction. Some adults are tolerant of them. Initial insomnia may be caused by the medication wearing off or a change in sleep patterns. This can be reduced by taking the medication only every day, instead of taking it three or four times per week, and also by creating regular sleeping patterns.
Stimulants can cause adverse effects, such as an abrupt increase in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and changes in hearing or vision. They also can cause weight loss or anorexia, particularly when taken at high doses. In addition, stimulants can worsen mood lability in some individuals and cause psychotic or manic symptoms appear. They are contraindicated in people with Tourette's disorder, bipolar disorder, or severe anorexia. Stimulants can cause mood swings if they are abruptly stopped. In these cases it is crucial to slowly reduction in the dose.
People with ADHD might be prescribed medication to treat anxiety. For example, antidepressants such as SSRIs such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine may help with ADHD-related anxiety and depression. These medicines are usually prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them to treat ADHD, but medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant drugs for ADHD are slower to take effect but they can aid in reducing the tendency to be impulsive and increase focus. They are less likely than stimulants to trigger agitation or rapid heart rate because they don't increase the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. This class of drugs comprises strattera (atomoxetine) and Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, including the use of cognitive-behavioral treatments, behavior therapy, and medications are a viable option to treat ADHD and anxiety. Research has demonstrated that the most effective treatment is the combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies, like help teach skills to reduce anxiety, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also suffer from anxiety, and in those cases, the best strategy is to treat the ADHD first, and then to prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will allow the child to focus better at school and experience less ADHD-related anxiety symptoms. To get the best results it is crucial to keep attending therapy sessions regularly. A doctor might prescribe a different psychiatric medication to treat anxiety if necessary. This could be a tricyclic medication, like Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated, it can interfere with a child's ability to participate in therapy and benefit from it. This is why it is essential to determine the cause and treatment right the first time.