Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect up to 50% of adults who have ADHD. Treatment options for both conditions include medication and therapy.
Stimulants can be effective in enhancing focus and attention. They work by keeping receptors that are already "fired up" in your brain "turned-on". They may cause tics and raise your heart rate.
Stimulants
When treating ADHD the doctors usually begin with stimulants like methylphenidates or amphetamines. They work quickly to improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. Some people can reduce anxiety by increasing the level of norepinephrine. The majority of stimulant drugs are controlled substances and therefore are prone to addiction and abuse. However certain adults find that they are able to take them without issue. They do tend to cause initial insomnia that could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms once the medication has worn off or to an alteration in sleep patterns. This can be reduced by taking the medication only once a day, instead of three or four times, and also by developing regular sleep routines.
Stimulants can cause negative side effects like an abrupt increase in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and changes in vision or sound. They also can cause anorexia or weight loss, particularly when taken at high doses. The stimulants can also cause mood instability in some individuals and trigger manic or psychotic symptoms to develop. They are contraindicated for people who suffer from bipolar disorders or severe anorexia. Mood swings can occur when stimulants are abruptly stopped. In these instances, it is important that you gradually reduce the dose.
The use of medications to treat anxiety that are different than ADHD may be used for people with the condition. For example antidepressants like SSRIs such Sertraline and Fluoxetine can sometimes help with ADHD-related anxiety as well as depression. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe these medications for ADHD however, research in the field does not support this practice.
Non-stimulant medications for ADHD are slower to take effect but they can aid in reducing the tendency to be impulsive and increase attention. They are less likely than stimulants to trigger agitation or rapid heart rate, as they do not increase the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. This class of medications includes strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
A variety of strategies can be utilized to manage ADHD and anxiety, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. The most effective treatment for ADHD and anxiety is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
adhd treatment without medication -behavioral therapies, for example teach techniques to reduce anxiety, including mindfulness, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Some children with ADHD also have problems with anxiety, and in those cases, the best strategy is to treat the ADHD first, then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will help the child concentrate better at school and experience less anxiety due to ADHD. It is crucial to regularly attend therapy sessions to reap the maximum benefits. A doctor may prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety, if needed. This could be a tricyclic medication, like Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated, it can affect a child's capacity to participate in therapy and benefit from it. It is crucial to establish the correct diagnosis and the treatment right the first time.