Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect as much as 50% of adults who have ADHD. Treatment approaches for managing both conditions include medication and therapy.
Stimulants can be effective in improving attention 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 methylphenidates and amphetamines, are the first medication doctors typically use in treating ADHD. These drugs work quickly to increase concentration and decrease the risk of impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in certain people by boosting norepinephrine levels. Most stimulant drugs are controlled substances and carry the risk of dependence and abuse. Some adults tolerate them well. They can cause initial insomnia, which may be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms when the medication wears off or changes in the pattern of sleep. This can be controlled by taking the medication only one time per day instead of three or four times per week, and also by creating an established sleeping routine.
Potential side effects from stimulants include a sudden increase in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and changes in vision or hearing. They may also trigger weight loss or anorexia particularly when used in high doses. In addition, stimulants may worsen mood lability in some individuals and cause manic or psychotic symptoms appear. They are not recommended for people who suffer from bipolar disorder or severe anorexia. Mood swings can occur when stimulants are abruptly stopped. In these instances it is crucial to gradually decrease the dosage.
The use of medications to treat anxiety that aren't related to ADHD could be used to treat people with the disorder. For example antidepressants like SSRIs like Sertraline and Fluoxetine can sometimes help with anxiety associated with ADHD, as well as depression. These medications are usually prescribed "off-label", for ADHD. Certain doctors also prescribe these medications to treat ADHD however this practice is not supported by research in medical science.
Non-stimulant ADHD medicines take longer to act however they can help reduce the impulsivity of children and improve concentration. They are less likely than stimulants to trigger an increase in heart rate or agitation because they don't increase the amount of norepinephrine within the brain. Medications that belong to 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 utilized to treat ADHD and anxiety, which includes behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. The most effective treatment for anxiety and ADHD is a combination medication and behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for instance help teach skills to reduce anxiety, like deep breathing, mindfulness, and calming techniques. Certain children with ADHD also have problems with anxiety. In those instances, the best approach is to treat the ADHD first, then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will enable the child to concentrate better in school and suffer less ADHD-related anxiety symptoms. It is important to regularly attend therapy sessions to get the most benefit. A doctor might prescribe a psychiatric drug to treat anxiety when needed. This could be a tricyclic antidepressant such as Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated it can interfere with the ability of a child to take part in and benefit from therapy. It is read more important to establish the correct diagnosis and the treatment correct the first time.