Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect up to 50 percent of adults with ADHD. Therapy and medication are effective treatments for both conditions.
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 can trigger tics, and also increase your heart rate.
Stimulants
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidates are the first drugs doctors usually try to treat ADHD. These drugs are effective in helping increase concentration and decrease impulsivity. Some people are able to reduce anxiety by boosting the level of norepinephrine. The majority of stimulant medications are controlled substances and therefore have a high risk of abuse and addiction. Some adults tolerate them well. They do cause initial insomnia that could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms once the medication has worn off or to a change in sleep patterns. This can be minimized by taking the drug only once per day, rather than three or four times, and also by developing regular sleeping routines.
Stimulants can have adverse effects, such as an abrupt rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and changes in vision or sound. They also can cause anorexia or weight loss, especially when they are taken at high doses. Stimulants can also worsen mood instability in some people, and cause psychotic or manic-like symptoms to appear. They are not recommended for those with Tourette's disorder, bipolar disorder or severe anorexia. Stimulants can cause mood swings when abruptly stopped. In these situations it is crucial to gradually decrease the dose.
Medications to treat anxiety that are different than ADHD can be prescribed to people with the disorder. For instance, antidepressants such as SSRIs like Sertraline and Fluoxetine may help with anxiety associated with ADHD as well as depression. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors also prescribe them to treat ADHD, but this use is not supported by research in medical science.
Non-stimulant ADHD medicines are slower to work, but they can reduce the treating adhd without medication impulsivity of children and improve concentration. They are less likely than stimulants to cause anxiety or a rapid heart rate, as they don't increase the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This class of drugs includes strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
A combination of strategies can be utilized to treat ADHD and anxiety, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications. The most effective treatment for ADHD and anxiety is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for instance, teach skills that reduce anxiety, like mindfulness, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Some children with ADHD also struggle with anxiety. In these instances, the most effective strategy is to treat the ADHD first, then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will allow the child to be more focused in school and suffer less anxiety-related symptoms associated with ADHD. To reap the maximum benefits it is essential to take part in therapy sessions regularly. If necessary doctors may recommend an additional psychiatric medication to treat anxiety. This could be a tricyclic medication, like Tofranil. If anxiety isn't treated, it may hinder the child's ability to participate in and benefit from therapy. This is why it is crucial to get the diagnosis and treatment right, the first time.