Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
As high as 50% of people with ADHD also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Treatment strategies for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can increase concentration and focus. They work by keeping activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They can cause an increase in your heart rate slightly.
Stimulants
Stimulants, like methylphenidates and amphetamines, are the first drugs doctors will typically try when treating ADHD. They work quickly to enhance concentration and reduce the impulsivity. They can help reduce anxiety in certain individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances, and carry the risk of addiction and abuse. Some adults can tolerate them quite well. Initial insomnia may be caused by the medication wearing off or a change in sleeping patterns. This can be lowered by taking the medication only once per day, instead of taking it three or four times per week, and by establishing a regular sleeping schedule.
Possible side effects of stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and changes in vision or hearing. They can also cause anorexia and weight loss especially when taken in large doses. In addition, stimulants can cause a rise in mood lability in certain individuals and cause manic or psychotic symptoms manifest. They are not recommended for people suffering from bipolar disorders, or severe anorexia. Stimulants can cause mood swings when abruptly stopped. In these situations, it is important to gradually decrease the dosage.
People with ADHD might be prescribed medication to manage anxiety. Antidepressants like Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance, can help with depression and anxiety that are related to ADHD. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe these medications to treat ADHD however, medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant medicines for ADHD are slower to work however they can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase focus. They do not affect the level of norepinephrine in the brain as much as stimulants, and are less likely to cause a rapid heart rate or cause agitation. The medications that fall under this class of drugs are strattera (atomoxetine) and Clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and guanfacine ER (Intuniv and Tenex).
A variety of strategies can be used to treat ADHD and anxiety, such as behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. source for this article for ADHD and anxiety is a combination medication and behavioral therapy.
For medication for add adults , cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teach skills that can aid in reducing anxiety, such as deep breathing, mindfulness meditation and calming techniques. Certain children with ADHD also suffer from anxiety, and in those cases, the best strategy is to treat the ADHD first, and then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will enable the child to focus better in school and experience fewer ADHD-related anxiety symptoms. It is essential to attend therapy regularly to reap the maximum benefits. Then, if needed doctors may recommend an additional medication for psychiatric disorders to help treat the anxiety. It could be a tricyclic like Tofranil. If source for this article isn't treated, it can interfere with the child's ability to benefit from therapy. This is why it is crucial to establish the diagnosis and treatment right, the first time.