Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can affect up to 50 percent of adults with ADHD. Both therapy and medication are effective treatments for both conditions.
Stimulants are effective in enhancing attention and focus. They work by keeping previously activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They often cause the tics of your brain and can increase your heart rate slightly.
Stimulants
Stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidates, are the first medications doctors usually try to treat ADHD. These drugs work quickly to increase concentration and decrease the impulsivity. They can also alleviate anxiety in certain individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances, and carry the risk of dependence and abuse. Some adults can tolerate them quite well. medication for adhd in adults can induce insomnia in the beginning which could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms when the medication has worn off or to an alteration in sleep patterns. This can be minimized by taking the drug only once per day, rather than three or four times, and by creating regular routines for sleeping.
Possible side effects of stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, and changes in vision or hearing. They can also cause weight loss and anorexia, particularly when taken in high doses. In addition, stimulants can cause a rise in mood lability in certain people and make manic or psychotic symptoms manifest. They are not recommended for people who suffer from bipolar disorders, or severe anorexia. Mood swings can occur when stimulants are abruptly removed. In these cases it is essential to gradually decrease in the dosage.
People with ADHD may be prescribed medications to manage anxiety. Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance are able to help with depression and anxiety that are associated with ADHD. These medications are often prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Certain doctors also prescribe them to treat ADHD however, this usage is not supported by research in medical science.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take longer to work but they can decrease impulsivity and increase concentration. They don't affect the amount of norepinephrine present in the brain as significantly as stimulants, and are less likely to cause an increase in heart rate or cause agitation. Drugs that belong to this class of drugs are strattera (atomoxetine) and clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and Guanfacine in ER (Intuniv and Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral treatment, behavior therapy, and medications can be employed to treat ADHD and anxiety. Research has proven that the most effective treatment is the combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teach skills that can help reduce a person's anxiety, such as deep breathing, mindfulness meditation and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also suffer from anxiety. In those instances, the most effective strategy is to treat the ADHD first, then to prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will help the child concentrate better at school and experience less anxiety due to ADHD. To reap the maximum benefits, it is important to keep attending therapy sessions regularly. A doctor might prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety, if needed. This could be a tricyclic medication, like Tofranil. If anxiety is not addressed, it could hinder a child's ability to participate in therapy and gain benefit from it. This is why it is essential to establish the diagnosis and treatment correct the first time.