Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety

Up to 50% of people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from anxiety disorders. Treatment strategies for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.

Stimulants can improve focus and concentration. They work by keeping previously activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They can cause an increase in the heart rate.

Stimulants

When treating ADHD doctors typically begin with stimulants like methylphenidates and amphetamines. These drugs act quickly to enhance concentration and decrease the impulsivity. Some people can reduce anxiety by boosting the norepinephrine level. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances and can lead to dependence and abuse. However, some adults find that they can take them without issue. They do cause initial insomnia, which may be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms when the medication wears off or due to an alteration in sleep patterns. This can be reduced by taking the medication only every day, rather than three or four times, and by establishing regular sleep routines.

Stimulants can trigger adverse effects, such as an abrupt increase in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and changes in vision or sound. They can also cause anorexia and weight loss particularly when taken in high doses. Additionally, stimulants can worsen mood lability in some people and make manic or psychotic symptoms manifest. They are not recommended for people with Tourette’s disorder, bipolar disorders, or severe anorexia. Mood swings may also occur when stimulants are suddenly removed. In these instances, it is important to gradually reduce the dose.

People with ADHD may be prescribed medications to manage anxiety. Antidepressants such Sertraline or Fluoxetine, for example, can help with depression and anxiety that are associated with ADHD. These medications are usually prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors also prescribe them to treat ADHD however this practice is not supported by medical research.

Non-stimulant ADHD medicines take longer to act but they can decrease impulsivity and increase concentration. They are less likely than stimulants to cause anxiety or a rapid heart rate because they do not increase the levels of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. This class of drugs includes strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).

Combinations of strategies, including the use of cognitive-behavioral treatments, behavior therapy, and medications can be used to treat ADHD and anxiety. Research has shown that the most effective treatment is using a combination of medications and behavioral therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapies, like teach techniques to reduce anxiety, including mindfulness, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also have problems with anxiety. In these instances, the most effective strategy is to treat the ADHD first, and then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will allow the child to concentrate better at school and will experience less anxiety due to ADHD. To reap the maximum benefits it is essential to attend therapy sessions regularly. A doctor may prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety when needed. This may be a tricyclic antidepressant such as Tofranil. If the anxiety is not addressed, it could affect a child's capacity to take part in therapy and benefit from it. It is essential to get here the diagnosis right and the treatment correct the first time.