Why All The Fuss About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety?
Why All The Fuss About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety?
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Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect as much as 50 percent of adults with ADHD. Treatment options for both conditions include medication and therapy.
Stimulants can help improve focus and attention. They work by keeping already activated receptors in your brain "turned on" or "fired up." They can cause the tics of your brain and can increase your heart rate a little.
Stimulants
Stimulants like amphetamines and methylphenidates are the first medication doctors will typically try when treating ADHD. These drugs act quickly to enhance concentration and reduce the amount of impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in certain individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. Most stimulant medicines are controlled substances and therefore have a high risk of abuse and addiction. Some adults can tolerate them quite well. They do induce insomnia in the beginning, which may result from a rebound of ADHD symptoms after the medication has worn off or changes in the pattern of sleep. This can be reduced by taking the drug only once a day, instead of three or four times, and by establishing regular routines for sleeping.
Possible side effects of stimulants include a sudden increase in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and changes in vision or hearing. They can also cause weight loss or anorexia particularly if they are used in high doses. In addition, stimulants may worsen mood lability in some people and make manic or psychotic symptoms manifest. They are not recommended for people suffering from bipolar disorders, or severe anorexia. Mood swings may also occur when stimulants are abruptly removed. In these situations it is essential to take a gradual reduction in the dose.
People suffering from ADHD might be prescribed medication to help treat anxiety. For example antidepressants, such as SSRIs such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine can sometimes help with ADHD-related anxiety and depression. These medicines are usually prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe more info them for ADHD however, medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant ADHD medicines take longer to take effect but they can decrease impulsivity and increase the amount of attention. They don't affect the amount of norepinephrine present in the brain as significantly as stimulants, and are less likely to cause rapid heart rate or cause agitation. This class of drugs comprises strattera (atomoxetine) and Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, such as behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication, can be employed to treat ADHD and anxiety. The most effective treatment for anxiety and ADHD is a combination medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teach skills that can reduce anxiety in people like deep breathing, mindfulness meditation and calming techniques. Certain children with ADHD also struggle with anxiety, and in those instances, the best approach is to treat the ADHD first, then prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will allow the child to concentrate better at school and experience less anxiety-related symptoms associated with ADHD. It is essential to attend therapy regularly to reap the maximum benefits. A doctor might prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety, if needed. This could be a tricyclic medication, such as Tofranil. If the anxiety is not addressed, it could interfere with a child's ability to take part in therapy and gain benefit from it. This is why it is crucial to establish the diagnosis and treatment right, the first time.