Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect up to 50% of adults who have ADHD. Treatment approaches for managing both conditions include medication and therapy.
Stimulants can be effective in enhancing focus and attention. They work by keeping activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They often cause tics and may increase the heart rate.
Stimulants
Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidates, are the first medication doctors usually try when treating ADHD. These drugs work quickly to enhance focus and decrease the impulsivity. Some people can reduce anxiety by increasing the level of norepinephrine. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances and are prone to dependence and abuse. Some adults can tolerate them quite well. Initial insomnia may be caused by the medication wear off or a change in sleeping patterns. This can be reduced by taking the drug only every day, rather than three or four times, and by creating regular sleep routines.
Stimulants can have adverse effects, such as an abrupt rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats or changes in vision or sound. They can also cause weight loss or anorexia especially when they are taken at high doses. In addition, stimulants can cause a rise in mood lability in certain people and make manic or psychotic symptoms manifest. add adhd medication are not recommended for people who suffer from bipolar disorders, or severe anorexia. The mood swings can also occur when stimulants are suddenly stopped. In these instances it is essential to slowly reduction in the dose.
People with ADHD may be prescribed medications to help treat anxiety. For example antidepressants, such as SSRIs such Sertraline and Fluoxetine can help with anxiety associated with ADHD and depression. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them to treat ADHD however, this usage is not supported by medical research.
Non-stimulant ADHD medicines take longer to work however they can help reduce the impulsivity of children and improve attention. adult adhd medication do not affect the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain as significantly as stimulants, and are less likely to trigger an increase in heart rate or cause agitation. Drugs that belong to this class of drugs include strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and Guanfacine ER (Intuniv and Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, including cognitive-behavioral treatment, behavior therapy, and medications, are a viable option to treat ADHD and anxiety. Research has proven that the most effective treatment is using a combination of medications and behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for instance help teach skills to reduce anxiety, such as mindfulness, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also have problems with anxiety. In those instances, the best approach is to treat the ADHD first, then to prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will allow the child to be more focused at school and experience less anxiety related to ADHD. To achieve the best results, it is important to attend therapy sessions regularly. If necessary, a doctor may recommend an additional medication for psychiatric disorders to help treat the anxiety. It could be a tricyclic like Tofranil. If anxiety isn't treated, it may hinder the ability of a child to take part in and benefit from therapy. This is why it's crucial to get the diagnosis and treatment correct the first time.