ADHD and Anxiety Medication
Anxiety disorders are often associated with ADHD. Anxiety can cause restlessness irritability and trouble sleeping.
The use of stimulants can ease symptoms, but they can cause adverse effects, like tics, or slight growth decreases in adolescents and children. Many people also experience 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. You can find them in the form of capsules, tablets or chunky crystals. They are also available as a white or brown dust. Large doses of stimulants can create over-stimulation and cause anxiety, panic attacks, stomach cramps or paranoia. The long-term use of stimulants could cause addiction and serious side effects such as heart problems as well as high blood pressure and stroke.
These medications are also proven to reduce anxiety symptoms. They help by boosting brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. They are less in ADHD patients. This increases the activity and communication of the parts of the brain which control attention and executive functions. This results in increased impulse control and anxiety symptoms diminishing.
Research has shown that both atomoxetine as well as methylphenidate reduce anxiety symptoms in people with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. Both drugs showed improvement in anxiety symptoms from the very first week of treatment. The effect was evident for eight weeks.
It is important to note that the type of medication that is most effective for treating anxiety and ADHD symptoms co-occurring may depend on which of the conditions has more impact on a person’s quality of living. For example, an individual might experience a lot of anxiety-inducing episodes on a regular basis when they have to make appointments or try to keep on top of projects for work or school. These can be very distressing and can cause them to be anxious on more of a frequent basis than the symptoms of a specific anxiety disorder or panic attack would.
In these instances it is possible to treat the anxiety-related symptoms using antidepressants or SSRIs, which have been proven effective in decreasing anxiety levels in adults. These are usually taken orally and may take a bit longer to work, but the most common options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Sertraline and Fluoxetine, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine and venlafaxine. These can be taken as a supplement to cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety and are especially beneficial if a patient has an elevated heart rate or blood pressure.
SSRIs
Antidepressants, like SSRIs (antidepressant drugs) are frequently used to treat anxiety disorders. Prozac is the first drug of this group, is fluoxetine. The SSRIs can also help treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These medications are more versatile than the earlier generation antidepressants, and they are less likely to cause serious side effects.
The SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin at synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter to remain active in the synapse and signal the post-synaptic cells more often than it would normally. This may increase the output of norepinephrine and reduce anxiety. This can also increase levels of neuronal cyclicAMP (cAMP) which can stimulate the synthesis of proteins.
SSRIs can also reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. They can also improve the quality of sleep and decrease agitation in people with ADHD. However, these drugs can increase the possibility of suicidal behavior and thoughts among some people. They may also increase appetite and weight gain at the beginning of treatment.
The SNRIs are a distinct type of antidepressant than SSRIs. SNRIs stop the reuptake serotonin and norepinephrine. Similar to SSRIs, they can affect anxiety, but they also improve the functioning of heart muscle and blood vessels, which may reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. They also can improve the mood of some people suffering from bipolar disorder.
The most commonly used SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq). The SNRIs can increase blood pressure in some individuals and should not be used by those with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
There are a variety of behavioral treatments for anxiety and ADHD that can be employed alongside medication. Mindfulness-based techniques can be beneficial in lowering stress and anxiety, as can practicing yoga and meditation. Some people have found that tapping on specific points of the body, also known as Emotional Freedom Techniques can help reduce the cortisol hormone that is responsible for anxiety. Exercise and diet can reduce anxiety. Your doctor can suggest eating whole vegetables, fruits and grains and avoid sugar, which can worsen anxiety in some ADHD adults and children.
Non-stimulant-based medicines
While stimulants are highly effective in treating ADHD and have been studied extensively but they are not always the best choice for individuals with anxiety disorders and ADHD. These medications can trigger negative side effects such as jitteriness rapid heart rate, and nervousness that may be similar to or worsen anxiety symptoms.
Since 2002, non-stimulant medicines have been prescribed for ADHD (under the brand name Strattera). They do not raise blood pressure or heart rate and are less likely than stimulant drugs to cause anxiety-related side effects such as shaking, sweating or nervousness.
medication adhd adults for the brain chemical norepinephrine and can aid in improving attention and reduce impulsivity as well as hyperactivity. Studies have also proven that it is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in adolescents and children with ADHD. Researchers gathered clinical articles from PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO to find out whether atomoxetine reduced anxiety in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Another drug that can be effective in treating anxiety is bupropion, which targets the brain chemical dopamine. Bupropion is often prescribed to those suffering from ADHD and depression. It can also improve mood and decrease symptoms of anxiety. It is generally recommended to address the anxiety first before tackling ADHD. This can usually help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
In some cases anxiety symptoms in ADHD children may be the cause of their anxiety. The most effective method of treating anxiety in these situations is usually cognitive-behavioral therapies and psychostimulants. This is because these treatments will target the root of the issue and reduce ADHD symptoms and, consequently, decrease the anxiety.
Antidepressants are also prescribed to people suffering from ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants, which attack serotonin in the brain can ease anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Sertraline.
Your doctor will ultimately determine which medication is best for you. Before recommending a medication, they will take into consideration your symptoms, lifestyle and age, as well as other health conditions. It is very important to discuss your treatment goals with your doctor and stick to a daily schedule while taking any medication.
Other options
Other options for treatment may be beneficial for managing ADHD or anxiety, based on your health goals. These include mindfulness, meditation, tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques), sleep, nutrition, exercise and healthy eating habits.
Dr. Hallowell says that people who suffer from anxiety are more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD, which makes it difficult to treat both conditions simultaneously. He usually prescribes stimulants first to address ADHD, and then turns to non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine, bupropion, or guanfacine for anxiety disorders. These work around the clock and are not controlled substances like stimulants.