Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
As high as 50% of adults who suffer from ADHD also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Treatment options for both conditions include medication and therapy.
Stimulants can increase focus and attention. They work by keeping previously activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They are often associated with the tics of your brain and can increase your heart rate slightly.
Stimulants
Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidates are the first drugs doctors will typically try in treating ADHD. These drugs are effective in helping increase concentration and reduce the risk of impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in some individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. medication for adults with add are controlled substances, and carry the risk of addiction and abuse. However certain adults find that they are able to tolerate them well. Initial insomnia can be caused by the medication wear off or a change in sleeping patterns. This can be reduced by taking the medication only every day, rather than three or four times, and by creating regular routines for sleeping.
Potential side effects from stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or changes in hearing or vision. They can also trigger weight loss and anorexia, particularly when taken in high doses. The stimulants can also cause mood instability in some individuals and trigger manic or psychotic symptoms to appear. They are not recommended for people with bipolar disorder or severe anorexia. They can cause mood swings when abruptly stopped. In these situations it is crucial to take a gradual decrease in the dosage.
Treatments for anxiety that are different than ADHD could be used to treat those suffering from the disorder. Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance are able to help with anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label", for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them to treat ADHD, but medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant medications for ADHD are slower to take effect but they can aid in reducing impulsivity and improve focus. They do not affect the level of norepinephrine in the brain as strongly as stimulants do, and they are less likely to cause a rapid heart rate or agitation. This class of drugs comprises strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
A combination of strategies can be employed to manage ADHD and anxiety, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication. The most effective treatment for ADHD and anxiety is a combination medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy assists in teaching skills that can aid in reducing anxiety like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also suffer from anxiety. In those cases, the best strategy is to treat the ADHD first, then to prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will help the child be more focused at school and experience less anxiety that is related to ADHD. To get the best results it is essential to attend therapy sessions regularly. A doctor may prescribe a psychiatric drug to treat anxiety if necessary. This could be a tricyclic such as Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated it may hinder the ability of a child to take part in and benefit from therapy. It is crucial to get the diagnosis right and the treatment correct the first time.