Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders can affect up to 50 percent of the adults who suffer from ADHD. Treatment approaches for managing both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants are effective in enhancing 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
Stimulants, such as methylphenidates and amphetamines, are the first drugs doctors usually try to treat ADHD. These drugs are effective in helping increase concentration and reduce impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in some people by boosting norepinephrine levels. Most stimulant drugs are controlled substances and are prone to addiction and abuse. However some adults have found that they can tolerate them well. They can induce insomnia in the beginning that could result from a rebound of ADHD symptoms once the medication wears off or to an alteration in sleep patterns. This can be lowered by taking the medication once a day, instead of three or four times, and by creating regular routines for sleeping.
Potential side effects from stimulants include a sudden increase in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or changes in hearing or vision. They can also cause weight loss or anorexia, particularly when taken at high doses. Stimulants can also worsen mood instability in some people and can cause manic or psychotic symptoms to manifest. They are not recommended for people with Tourette’s disorder, bipolar disorders, or severe anorexia. The mood swings can also occur when stimulants are suddenly removed. In these cases it is crucial to take a gradual reduction in the dose.
Treatments for anxiety that are not related to ADHD can be prescribed to people suffering from the disorder. Antidepressants such Sertraline or Fluoxetine for instance can be helpful with depression and anxiety that are related to ADHD. These medications are usually prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them to treat ADHD however, research in the field does not support this practice.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications take longer to take effect, but they can reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase attention. They do not affect the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain as significantly as stimulants do, and they are less likely to trigger a rapid heart rate or agitation. Medications that belong to this class of drugs include strattera (atomoxetine) as well as Clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and Guanfacine E.R. (Intuniv and Tenex).
A combination of strategies can be used to treat ADHD and anxiety, including behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and medications. Research has shown that the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies assists in teaching skills that can aid in reducing anxiety like deep breathing, mindfulness meditation and calming techniques. In the event that children suffering from ADHD have anxiety issues it is recommended to treat the ADHD before prescribing an SSRI. This will allow the child to be more focused at school read more and suffer less anxiety related to ADHD. It is essential to attend regularly therapy sessions to reap the maximum benefit. If needed, a doctor may recommend an additional medication for psychiatric disorders to help treat anxiety. It could be a tricyclic, such as Tofranil. If anxiety is not addressed, it could interfere with a child's ability to take part in therapy and gain benefits from it. This is why it is crucial to determine the cause and treatment correct the first time.