ADHD and Anxiety Medication
People with ADHD often have co-occurring anxiety disorders. Anxiety can cause restlessness, irritability, and difficulty sleeping.
The use of stimulants can ease these symptoms, but they can also cause adverse effects, such as tics and minor growth reduction in adolescents and children. Additionally, some people have anxiety issues while taking stimulant medication.
Stimulants
Stimulants are drugs that are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (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. They can be found in capsules, tablets, chunky clear crystals or a brown or white powder. Large doses of stimulants can cause over-stimulation and result in anxiety, panic attacks, stomach cramps or paranoia. The long-term use of stimulants could cause addiction and serious side effects like heart problems as well as high blood pressure and stroke.
These medicines have also been shown to alleviate anxiety symptoms. They work by increasing brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These are lower in ADHD patients. This improves communication and activity between parts of the brain that control the executive and attention functions. This leads to increased impulse control and anxiety symptoms are reduced.
Research has shown that both atomoxetine as well as methylphenidate reduce anxiety symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and other anxiety disorders. Improvement in anxiety symptoms was observed from the fourth week of treatment for both medications and the effect was continued for 8 weeks of treatment.
It is important to note that the type of medication that may be most effective for treating anxiety and ADHD co-occurring disorders could depend on which disorder is more affecting a person's quality of life. For instance, a person might be prone to frequent anxiety-inducing episodes on a regular basis while they rush to make appointments or try to keep on top of work or school. They can be extremely distressing and might cause them to be anxious on a more frequently than the symptoms of a particular anxiety disorder or panic attack would.
In these instances it is possible to treat anxiety-related symptoms by taking antidepressants or SSRIs that have been proven effective in decreasing anxiety levels in adults. These are usually taken orally and may take a little longer to work, but the most commonly used options are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine and venlafaxine. They can be used alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and are especially beneficial if a patient has a racing heart or elevated blood pressure.
SSRIs
SSRIs are antidepressants are frequently used to treat anxiety disorders. The first drug in this group is fluoxetine, more commonly known as Prozac. The SSRIs can also help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. These medications are more flexible than previous generation antidepressants, and they have fewer and less serious side effects.
The SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin at synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter remain active in the synapse, and to signal the post-synaptic cells more often than would otherwise occur. This may increase the output of norepinephrine, which can reduce anxiety. This may also increase levels of neuronal cyclicAMP (cAMP), stimulating the synthesis of proteins.
In addition, the SSRIs can reduce impulsivity and reduce hyperactivity. They also can improve the quality of sleep and reduce agitation in some individuals with ADHD. However, these drugs can increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and actions in some people. They may also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, particularly when they are first introduced.
Another type of antidepressant, known as SNRIs, functions differently than SSRIs. SNRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. They can also affect anxiety. They can improve the functioning of both the heart muscle and blood vessels. This may reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Certain people with bipolar disorder can also benefit from their use.
The most common SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq). SNRIs could cause blood pressure to rise in certain people, and those who suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease should not take them.
There are many behavioral treatments for anxiety and ADHD that can be employed alongside medication. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can reduce stress and anxiety. Some people find tapping specific points of the body, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, can help reduce the cortisol hormone which is responsible for anxiety. Exercise and diet can reduce anxiety. Your doctor may recommend that you eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and to avoid sugar as it can increase anxiety for certain ADHD children and adults.
Non-stimulant based medications
Although stimulants are highly effective in treating ADHD and have been extensively studied, they may not be the most appropriate choice for people who also suffer from anxiety or ADHD. adhd medication uk can trigger side effects like jitteriness, rapid heart rate and nervousness that could be similar to or worsen anxiety symptoms.
Non-stimulant drugs are a more recent option that has been used to treat ADHD since 2002 (under the brand name Strattera). They do not increase heart rate or blood pressure, and are less likely than stimulant drugs to cause anxiety-related side effects such as shaking, sweating or nervousness.
Atomoxetine works by targeting receptors for norepinephrine, a brain chemical that can enhance attention and reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. It has also been proven to improve anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with ADHD. adult adhd medication gathered articles on clinical research from PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO to find out whether atomoxetine helped reduce anxiety in adolescents and children with ADHD.
Bupropion is another medication that can help with anxiety symptoms. It is a brain chemical, dopamine. Bupropion is typically prescribed to those suffering from ADHD and depression. It can also improve moods and help reduce anxiety symptoms. It is usually best to address the anxiety first before treating ADHD. This can usually help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety.
It is common for kids with ADHD to have problems with anxiety, and in a few cases the anxiety is actually caused by their ADHD symptoms. Psychostimulants and cognitive-behavioral therapy are typically the most effective treatment options for anxiety in this type of situation. This is because these treatments will tackle the root cause of the problem and reduce ADHD symptoms which, in turn, decrease the anxiety.
Antidepressants may also be prescribed to people suffering from ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants that target Serotonin, a chemical in the brain, can aid in relieving anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft Lexapro and Sertraline.
In the end, the decision on which medication is right for you will be decided by your physician. Before recommending a medication they will consider your lifestyle, symptoms, age, as well as other health issues. It is important to discuss with your doctor your goals for treatment and to adhere to a daily routine while taking any medication.
Other options
Depending on your unique health goals, there are a variety of treatment options that can be beneficial in managing ADHD and anxiety. These include mindfulness, meditation yoga, yoga, 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, making it difficult to treat both conditions at the same time. He prescribes stimulants to treat ADHD first, then non-stimulant medication like bupropion or atomoxetine to treat anxiety disorders. These medications are available 24/7 and are not controlled substances, similar to stimulants.