So You ve Bought ADHD Anxiety Medication ... Now What
ADHD and Anxiety Medication
People suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring anxiety disorders. Anxiety can cause restlessness, sleep disturbance and irritability.
Stimulant medication can help ease these symptoms, but they can also result in side effects like small growth reductions and tics in children and adolescents. Some people also notice that their anxiety levels increase when they are taking stimulant drugs.
Stimulants
The use of stimulants is to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. They are also popular among recreational drug users as stimulants and performance-enhancing substances because of their ability to increase energy, alertness and focus. They are available in capsules, tablets crystals, chunky clear crystals, or a white or brown powder. In large doses, they can cause excessive stimulation, resulting in anxiety and stomach cramps, panic, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants may cause addiction and severe adverse effects, such as heart issues, high pressure and stroke.
These medicines have also been shown to alleviate anxiety symptoms. They help by boosting brain chemicals like norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. These are lower in ADHD patients. This improves the activity and communication between the various parts of the brain that control executive and attention functions. This leads to increased impulse control and anxiety symptoms decrease.
Both atomoxetine (as as methylphenidate) reduce anxiety symptoms in adults with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety disorders. Both drugs have shown improvement in anxiety symptoms as early as the 4th week of treatment. The effect lasted for 8 weeks.
It is important to note that the type of medication that will be most effective in treating anxiety and ADHD symptoms co-occurring may depend on which condition has more impact on the quality of life of a person. For example, an individual may experience lots of anxiety-inducing episodes on a regular basis when they have to make appointments or try to keep on top of work or school. These can be distressing and cause anxiety more often than the symptoms of panic attacks or anxiety.
In these cases antidepressants or SSRIs are the best non stimulant adhd medication for adults choice to combat anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs have been proven effective in the reduction of anxiety levels among adults. They are taken orally and may take a while to work. The most commonly used options are selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) that include Sertraline Serotonin, Fluoxetine, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine and venlafaxine. These can be taken alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and are particularly useful if the patient experiences a racing heart or elevated blood pressure.
SSRIs
SSRIs are antidepressants are frequently used to treat anxiety disorders. The first drug in this class is fluoxetine, more commonly known as Prozac. The SSRIs can also help treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These drugs are a bit more flexible than previous generation antidepressants, and they have fewer and fewer serious side effects.
The SSRIs inhibit the reuptake serotonin in synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter remain active in the synapse and signal the post-synaptic cell more times than it would normally. This may increase the amount of norepinephrine released which may reduce anxiety symptoms. It can also increase the levels of neuronal cyclicAMP (cAMP) which can stimulate the synthesis of proteins.
SSRIs can also reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. They can also improve sleep quality and decrease agitation in people with ADHD. However, these drugs may increase the risk of suicidal ideas and actions in some people. They can also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, particularly when they are first introduced.
Another type of antidepressant, known as SNRIs, performs differently than the SSRIs. SNRIs block the reuptake of serotonin as well as norepinephrine. Similar to SSRIs, they can influence anxiety, but they can also improve the functioning of heart muscle and the blood vessels, which may reduce anxiety and stress. They can also enhance the mood of people suffering from bipolar disorder.
The most popular SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and the venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq). The SNRIs can increase blood pressure in some individuals therefore they are not recommended for those with high blood pressure or heart disease.
There are a variety of behavioral treatments for anxiety and ADHD that can be used in addition to medication. Mindfulness practices can be helpful in reducing anxiety and stress as can yoga and meditation. Some people find tapping on specific body points, or Emotional Freedom techniques can help lower cortisol levels which is the hormone responsible for anxiety. Exercise and diet can reduce anxiety. Your doctor can recommend eating a diet that is based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables and avoiding sugar, which can increase anxiety in certain ADHD adults and children.
non prescription adhd medication for adults-stimulant-based medications
While stimulants are extremely effective in treating ADHD and have been extensively studied however they are not the best medicine for adhd and social anxiety option for those who suffer from anxiety or ADHD. These medications can trigger adverse effects such as jitteriness, rapid heart rate and nervousness that can resemble or exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Non-stimulant medicines are a recent option that has been used to treat ADHD since 2002 (under the brand name Strattera). They don't increase heart rate or blood pressure and are less likely to have anxiety-related side effects like shaking, sweating or nervousness.
Atomoxetine works by targeting receptors for norepinephrine, a brain chemical that can improve attention and reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. Studies have also shown that it is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in adolescents and children with ADHD. Researchers collected clinical articles from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO to determine if atomoxetine reduced anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with ADHD.
Bupropion is another drug that can help with anxiety symptoms. It targets the brain chemical, dopamine. Bupropion is often prescribed to patients suffering from adhd medication weight loss uk and depression. It can also help improve mood and decrease symptoms of anxiety. It is generally a good idea to try and treat the underlying anxiety-related issue before treating the ADHD, as that will usually help to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
In certain cases anxiety symptoms in ADHD children can be the source of their anxiety. Psychostimulants and cognitive-behavioral therapy are generally the most effective treatment options for anxiety in this type of situation. These treatments can reduce add adhd medications symptoms and anxiety by addressing the root causes of the problem.
Antidepressants are often prescribed for those with coexisting ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants that target Serotonin, the chemical in the brain that is thought to alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Sertraline.
Your doctor will ultimately determine which medication is most suitable for you. They will take a look at your lifestyle, symptoms and age, as well as other health conditions prior to recommending any medication. It is essential to discuss your treatment goals with your doctor and adhere to a routine daily while taking any medication.
Other options
Depending on your unique health goals, there are other treatment options that may also be helpful for managing ADHD and anxiety. These include mindfulness meditation and yoga (Emotional Freedom techniques) tapping, sleep nutrition, exercise and healthy eating habits.
People with anxiety are more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD, Dr. Hallowell says, which can make it challenging to treat both conditions at once. He typically prescribes stimulants to treat ADHD and then shifts to non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine, bupropion, or guanfacine for anxiety disorders. These medications work 24/7 and are not controlled substances, as stimulants are.