ADHD and Anxiety Medication
Anxiety disorders can be co-occurring with ADHD. Anxiety can trigger restlessness, sleep disturbance and irritability.
Stimulant medications can ease symptoms, but they can cause adverse effects, like tics, or minor growth reductions in adolescents and children. Additionally, some people find their anxiety worsens when taking stimulant medication.
Stimulants
Stimulants can be used to treat 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 are available in the form of capsules, tablets or chunky crystals. They are also available as a white or brown dust. The use of large doses can result in over-stimulation, resulting in anxiety, panic, stomach cramps, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants may cause addiction and severe adverse effects, such as heart issues stroke, high pressure and heart problems.
The drugs that are commonly prescribed to treat ADHD have also proven track record for alleviating the symptoms of anxiety. They are effective by boosting brain chemical like norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. They are less in ADHD patients. This increases activity and communication between parts of the brain that control executive and attention. This leads to improved impulse control and anxiety symptoms diminishing.
Both atomoxetine (as as well as methylphenidate) reduce anxiety symptoms in adults with ADHD who also have anxiety disorders. Both drugs have shown improvement in anxiety symptoms from the very first week of treatment. The benefit lasted for 8 weeks.
It is important to remember that the type medication that will be most effective for treating anxiety and ADHD symptoms co-occurring may depend on which condition is more detrimental to the quality of life of an individual. An individual may experience many minor crises that create anxiety throughout the day when they have to rush to make appointments or complete tasks at school or at work. These can be very distressing and cause people to be anxious on more of a frequently than the symptoms of a particular anxiety or panic attack.
In these cases, it might be best to address the anxiety-related symptoms with antidepressants or SSRIs which have been proven effective in decreasing anxiety levels in adults. These are taken orally, and may take some time to work. The most popular choices are selective serotonin inhibits (SSRIs), such as Sertraline, Fluoxetine and serotonin, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine and venlafaxine. Iam Psychiatry can be used together with cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety. They are especially effective if a patient has a racing or elevated heart rate.
SSRIs
Antidepressants, including SSRIs (antidepressant drugs) are frequently used to treat anxiety-related disorders. The prototype drug in this class is fluoxetine, better known as Prozac. The SSRIs are also able to treat depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These drugs are more versatile and have less adverse negative effects than the older generation of antidepressants.
The SSRIs block serotonin's reuptake at synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter remain active in the synapse and signal the post-synaptic cell more times than it would normally. This can increase the output of norepinephrine, which may reduce anxiety. This can also increase levels of neuronal cyclicAMP (cAMP), stimulating the synthesis of proteins.
SSRIs can also reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. They can also improve sleep quality and decrease agitation for some people with ADHD. However, these medications can increase the risk of suicidal ideas and behavior in certain individuals. They may also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, particularly when they are first introduced.
Another type of antidepressant known as SNRIs, performs differently than the SSRIs. SNRIs block the reuptake both of serotonin and norepinephrine. Like SSRIs they may influence anxiety, but they can also improve the functioning of the heart muscle and the blood vessels, which may reduce anxiety and stress. Certain people with bipolar disorder can also benefit from their use.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Venlafaxine, Duloxetine (Cymbalta), (Effexor XR, Pristiq) and desvenlafaxine are the most common SNRIs. SNRIs can cause blood pressure to increase in certain individuals, so those who suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease should not take these medications.
In addition to medications and other treatments, there are a myriad of behavioral treatments that could aid in reducing anxiety and ADHD. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can reduce stress and anxiety. Some people find tapping on certain body points or Emotional Freedom techniques can help lower cortisol levels which is the hormone that causes anxiety. Diet and exercise can also reduce anxiety. Your doctor can recommend a diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and avoiding sugar, which can increase anxiety in some ADHD adults and children.
Non-stimulant-based medicines
Although stimulants are extremely effective at treating ADHD and have been extensively researched however they are not the best option for those with coexisting anxiety and ADHD. The stimulant medications can trigger side effects such as increased heart rate and jitteriness. These symptoms can mimic or worsen symptoms of anxiety.
Since 2002, non-stimulant medications have been prescribed for ADHD (under the brand name Strattera). They don't increase the heart rate or blood pressure and are less likely than stimulant drugs to cause anxiety-related side effects like sweating, shaking, or nervousness.
Atomoxetine targets receptors for the brain chemical norepinephrine. It can help improve attention and reduce impulsivity as well as hyperactivity. It has also been proven to alleviate anxiety symptoms in adolescents and children with ADHD. Researchers gathered clinical articles from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO to determine whether atomoxetine improved anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Bupropion is a different medication that can alleviate anxiety symptoms. It is a brain chemical, dopamine. Bupropion is frequently recommended for people with co-occurring depression and ADHD. It can also improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms. It is generally recommended to treat anxiety first before tackling ADHD. This can usually reduce the anxiety symptoms.
It is common for children with ADHD to have problems with anxiety, and in some instances, anxiety may be caused by their ADHD symptoms. Psychostimulants and cognitive-behavioral therapy are usually the most effective treatments for anxiety in this scenario. This is because these treatments target the root of the issue and help reduce ADHD symptoms which, in turn, decrease the anxiety.
Antidepressants are also often prescribed to people with coexisting ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants, which target the brain chemical serotonin can ease anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Sertraline.
Ultimately, the decision of the right medication for you will be determined by your physician. Before recommending a drug, they will consider your symptoms, lifestyle and age, as well as other health conditions. It is essential to discuss with your doctor your treatment goals and to stick to a regular schedule while taking any medication.
Other options
Other treatment options may be beneficial to manage ADHD or anxiety, based on your health goals. These include mindfulness yoga, meditation, tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques), sleep, nutrition, exercise and healthy eating habits.
People with anxiety are more likely to suffer from symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Dr. Hallowell says, which can make it difficult to treat both disorders 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.