ADHD and Anxiety Medication
People suffering from ADHD often have co-occurring anxiety disorders. Anxiety can cause restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia.
Stimulant medications can ease symptoms, but it can also cause side-effects like tics, or slight growth decreases in adolescents and children. In addition, some individuals experience anxiety-related issues when taking stimulant medication.
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 tablets, capsules crystals, chunky clear crystals, or a white or brown powder. Large doses can lead to over-stimulation, resulting in anxiety and panic, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia. The long-term use of stimulants could cause addiction and serious side effects like heart problems as well as high blood pressure and stroke.
medications for adhd in adults that are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD are also proven to have a track record of alleviating symptoms of anxiety. They work by increasing brain chemicals like norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. These are lower in ADHD patients. This boosts activity and communication between brain regions that regulate executive and attention. This leads to improved impulse control, and anxiety symptoms decrease.
Both atomoxetine (as as methylphenidate) reduce anxiety symptoms in adults with ADHD who also have anxiety disorders. Both medications showed improvement in anxiety symptoms as early as the 4th week of treatment. The benefit lasted for 8 weeks.
It is important to keep in mind that the type of medication that is best for treating anxiety and ADHD co-occurring disorders could depend on which disorder is more affecting the quality of life of an individual. One may experience numerous mini-crises that cause worry throughout the day as they rush to make appointments or finish assignments at school or at work. These can be distressing and can cause anxiety more frequently than the symptoms of a panic attack or phobia.
In these situations, it might be best to address the anxiety-related symptoms by taking antidepressants or SSRIs that have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety levels in adults. These are taken orally, and can take a long time to begin working. The most popular options are selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) that include Sertraline Serotonin, Fluoxetine, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like venlafaxine, and duloxetine. These drugs can be utilized in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety. They are particularly useful when a patient is suffering from an elevated or racing heart rate.
SSRIs
Antidepressants, including SSRIs (antidepressant drugs) are commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Prozac is the drug that was developed as the prototype of this group is fluoxetine. The SSRIs are also effective in treating obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic disorder. These medications are more versatile than earlier versions of antidepressants. Additionally, they are less likely to cause severe adverse effects.
The SSRIs hinder the reuptake of serotonin at synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter remain active in the synapse and signal the post-synaptic cell more times than it would otherwise. This may increase the output of norepinephrine and reduce anxiety. This may also increase levels of neuronal cyclicAMP (cAMP), stimulating the synthesis of proteins.
Additionally, SSRIs may reduce impulsivity and reduce hyperactivity. They also can improve sleep quality and reduce the agitation of some people with ADHD. However, these drugs can increase the risk of suicidal ideas and behaviors in some individuals. They may also increase appetite and weight gain when they first begin.
SNRIs are a different kind of antidepressant than SSRIs. SNRIs prevent the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Like SSRIs, they can affect anxiety, but they also improve the functioning of heart muscle and blood vessels, which could reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Some adults who suffer from bipolar disorder may benefit from their use.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR, Pristiq) and desvenlafaxine are the most common SNRIs. The SNRIs may raise blood pressure in some people, so they should not be used by anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease.
There are many treatment options for anxiety and ADHD that can be employed in addition to medication. Mindfulness techniques can be helpful in reducing anxiety and stress, as can practicing yoga and meditation. Some people find that tapping specific body parts or techniques for emotional freedom, helps lower cortisol, the hormone that causes 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 some ADHD children and adults.
Non-stimulant based medicines
While stimulants are extremely effective in treating ADHD, and have been extensively studied however they are not the most appropriate choice for people who suffer from anxiety or ADHD. The stimulant drugs can cause adverse effects such as jitteriness, rapid heart rate and nervousness that could resemble or exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Since 2002, non-stimulant medications are being used to treat ADHD (under the brand name Strattera). They do not cause an increase in blood pressure or heart rate, and they are less likely to suffer anxiety-related side effects like shaking, sweating or nervousness.
Atomoxetine is a drug that targets receptors for norepinephrine, a brain chemical that can improve attention and reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. Studies have also shown that it can help improve anxiety symptoms in adolescents and children with ADHD. Researchers collected clinical articles from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO to determine if atomoxetine decreased anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Another drug that can be effective in treating anxiety symptoms is bupropion which targets the brain chemical dopamine. Bupropion is often advised for people who suffer from co-existing depression and ADHD. It can also improve mood and decrease anxiety symptoms. It is often best to treat anxiety first before treating ADHD. This can usually help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
It is common for children with ADHD to have problems with anxiety, and in a few instances, anxiety may be caused by their ADHD symptoms. Psychostimulants and cognitive-behavioral treatments are usually the most effective methods to treat anxiety in this situation. These treatments can reduce ADHD symptoms and anxiety by addressing the root cause of the issue.
Antidepressants are also prescribed to patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants, which target the brain chemical serotonin can aid in reducing anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Sertraline.
Your doctor will ultimately decide which medication is best for you. They will look at your lifestyle, symptoms and age as well as other health issues before suggesting any medication. medications for adhd in adults is very important to discuss your goals for treatment with your doctor and adhere to a daily schedule while taking any medication.
Other options
Other treatment options may be beneficial for managing ADHD or anxiety, based on your health goals. medications for adhd include mindfulness meditation, yoga (Emotional Freedom techniques) tapping, sleep and nutrition, exercise and healthy eating habits.
Dr. Hallowell says that people who suffer from anxiety are more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD, making it difficult to treat both conditions at the same time. He prescribes stimulants to treat ADHD first, and then non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine or bupropion for anxiety disorders. These work around the clock and are not controlled substances as stimulants.