Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect up to 50 percent of adults with ADHD. Treatment options for both conditions include medication and therapy.
Stimulants can help improve concentration and focus. They work by keeping activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They often cause an increase in your heart rate slightly.
Stimulants
Stimulants like methylphenidates and amphetamines, are the first medications doctors will typically try to treat ADHD. These drugs work quickly to increase concentration and reduce the impulsivity. Some people can reduce anxiety by increasing the level of norepinephrine. Most stimulant drugs are controlled substances and can lead to dependence and abuse. Some adults can tolerate them quite well. Initial insomnia may be caused by the drug wearing off or a change in sleep patterns. This can be controlled by taking the medication only one time per day instead of three or four times a week, and by establishing an established sleeping routine.
Potential side effects from stimulants could include a sudden rise in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and changes in hearing or vision. They can also cause anorexia and weight loss, especially when taken in large doses. Stimulants can also worsen mood instability in some individuals, and cause manic or psychotic symptoms to develop. They are not recommended for people who suffer from bipolar disorders or severe anorexia. They can cause mood swings if they are abruptly stopped. In these situations it is crucial to take a gradual decrease in the dosage.
People suffering from ADHD may be prescribed medications to manage anxiety. Antidepressants such as 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 them to treat ADHD, but medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant ADHD medicines are slower to take effect but they can decrease the tendency to be impulsive and increase attention. They do not affect the level of norepinephrine in the brain as strongly as stimulants do, and they are less likely to trigger rapid heart rate or cause agitation. The medications that fall under this class of drugs include strattera (atomoxetine) and clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and guanfacine ER (Intuniv and Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications can be used to treat ADHD and anxiety. medication for adhd adults has proven that the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies aids in teaching skills that could help reduce a person's anxiety by incorporating techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and calming techniques. If children with ADHD have anxiety issues, it is best to treat the ADHD before prescribing an SSRI. This will enable the child to be more focused at school and experience less anxiety-related symptoms related to ADHD. To achieve the best results it is crucial to take part in therapy sessions regularly. A doctor may prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety when needed. This may be a tricyclic antidepressant such as Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated it could hinder the ability of a child to benefit from therapy. It is important to determine the cause and the treatment right the first time.