Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can affect up to 50 percent of the adults who suffer from ADHD. Treatment options for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can improve focus and attention. They work by keeping the receptors that are already "fired up" in your brain "turned-on". They can cause tics, and increase your heart rate.
Stimulants
When treating ADHD, doctors often start with stimulants like methylphenidates and amphetamines. These drugs work quickly to enhance focus and decrease impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in some individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. The majority of stimulant medications are controlled substances, and are prone to dependence and abuse. However some adults have found that they are able to tolerate them well. They do tend to induce insomnia in the beginning which could be due to a rebound of ADHD symptoms once the medication has worn off or a change in sleep patterns. This can be minimized by taking the medication only once per day, rather than three or four times, and by creating regular routines for sleeping.
Stimulants can have negative side effects like a sudden rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and changes in vision or sound. They can also cause weight loss and anorexia, particularly when taken in high doses. The stimulants can also cause mood instability in certain people and can cause manic or psychotic symptoms to develop. They are not recommended for people with bipolar disorder, or severe anorexia. The stimulants can trigger mood swings if they are abruptly stopped. In these instances, it is important to gradually reduce the dosage.
People suffering from ADHD might be prescribed medication to manage anxiety. Antidepressants such Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance can be helpful with depression and anxiety that are associated with ADHD. These medications are usually prescribed "off-label", for ADHD. Certain doctors also prescribe them to treat ADHD, but this use is not supported by medical research.
Non-stimulant drugs for ADHD are slower to work however they can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase focus. They are less likely than stimulants to trigger agitation or rapid heart rate, as they do not increase the levels of norepinephrine within the brain. Medications that belong to this class of drugs include strattera (atomoxetine) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and Guanfacine ER (Intuniv and Tenex).
A variety of strategies can be used to treat ADHD and anxiety, which includes behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications. Research has proven that the most effective treatment is using a combination of medications and behavioral therapy.
For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teach skills that can reduce anxiety in people like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and techniques for calming. If children with ADHD have anxiety issues it is recommended to treat the ADHD before prescribing an SSRI. This will allow the child to focus better in school and suffer less anxiety-related symptoms related to ADHD. To reap the maximum benefits it is crucial to attend therapy sessions regularly. Then, if needed, a physician may suggest an additional psychiatric medication to treat the anxiety. It could be a tricyclic, like Tofranil. If anxiety is not addressed, it could hinder a child's ability to take part in therapy and gain benefit from it. This is why read more it's crucial to determine the cause and treatment correct the first time.