ADHD and Anxiety Medication
People with ADHD frequently suffer from co-occurring anxiety disorders. Anxiety can lead to irritation, restlessness and sleeplessness.
Stimulant medications can ease symptoms, but it may cause adverse effects, such as tics or small growth reductions in children and adolescents. Some people also notice that their anxiety increases when taking stimulant medications.
Stimulants
The use of stimulants is 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 tablets, capsules or chunky crystals. They are also available as a brown or white dust. In large doses, they can cause excessive stimulation, which can cause anxiety and stomach cramps, panic, paranoia and aggression. Long-term use of stimulants may also lead to addiction and serious side effects, such as heart problems, high blood pressure and stroke.
They have also been proven to reduce anxiety symptoms. They help by boosting brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These are lower in ADHD patients. This boosts activity and communication between parts of the brain that regulate attention and executive function. This leads to an improvement in impulse control, and anxiety symptoms diminish.
Both atomoxetine (as as well as methylphenidate) reduce anxiety symptoms among adults with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety disorders. The improvement in anxiety symptoms was evident in the first week of treatment for both drugs, and the benefit was sustained through 8 weeks of treatment.
It is important to note that the kind of medication that will be most effective for treating anxiety and ADHD symptoms that co-occur could depend on which disorder has more impact on the quality of life of a person. adhd medication side effects may experience many mini-crises that cause worry throughout the day when they have to rush to make appointments or keep up with tasks at school or at work. These can be distressing and cause anxiety more often than symptoms of a panic attack or phobia.
In these cases it may be beneficial to treat anxiety-related symptoms by taking antidepressants or SSRIs which have been shown to be effective in decreasing anxiety levels in adults. They are usually taken orally and may take a little longer to effect the desired effects, however the most common options include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Sertraline and Fluoxetine, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine and venlafaxine. These medications can be used together with cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety. They are particularly useful for patients who have a racing or elevated heart rate.
SSRIs
Antidepressants, like SSRIs (antidepressant drugs) are frequently used to treat anxiety disorders. Prozac, the prototype drug of this class, is fluoxetine. The SSRIs can also aid in treating depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. They are more versatile than earlier generation antidepressants, and they have fewer and less dangerous side effects.
The SSRIs inhibit serotonin's reuptake at synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter remain active in the synapse, and to signal the post-synaptic cells more often than it would normally. This may increase the output of norepinephrine and reduce anxiety. It could also result in an increase in the levels of neuronal cyclic AMP (cAMP) which can stimulate protein synthesis.
They also decrease the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity. They can also improve sleep quality and decrease agitation for some people with ADHD. These medications can, however increase the risk of suicidal behaviour and thoughts among some people. They can also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, especially when they are first introduced.
Another type of antidepressant, known as SNRIs, performs differently than the SSRIs. SNRIs prevent the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine. They also have an impact on anxiety. They can improve the function of the heart muscle and blood vessels. This may reduce feelings such as anxiety and stress. Certain people with bipolar disorder also benefit from their use.
The most commonly used SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta), Venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq). The SNRIs can increase blood pressure in some people therefore they should not be taken by anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease.
There are many behavioral treatments for anxiety and ADHD that can be used in conjunction with medication. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can help reduce anxiety and stress. Some people find that tapping specific body parts, or Emotional Freedom techniques, helps lower cortisol which is the hormone that causes anxiety. Exercise and diet can aid in reducing anxiety. Your doctor may recommend you eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and to avoid sugar as it can worsen anxiety for certain ADHD children and adults.
Non-stimulant based medicines
While stimulants are very effective in treating ADHD and have been studied extensively but they are not always the best choice for individuals with coexisting anxiety and ADHD. The stimulant medications can trigger negative side effects, such as increased heart rate and jitteriness. These symptoms can be similar to or worsen symptoms of anxiety.
Non-stimulant medicines are a recent option that has been used to treat ADHD since 2002 (under the brand name Strattera). They don't increase blood pressure or heart rate and are less likely than stimulant drugs to cause anxiety-related adverse reactions such as shaking, sweating or nervousness.
Atomoxetine targets receptors for the brain chemical norepinephrine. It can aid in improving attention and reduce impulsivity as well as hyperactivity. It has also been found to alleviate anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD. Researchers gathered clinical papers from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO to determine whether atomoxetine improved anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with ADHD.
Bupropion is another medication that can help with anxiety symptoms. It is a brain chemical dopamine. Bupropion is frequently recommended for those suffering from co-occurring depression and ADHD. It can also help improve mood and help reduce anxiety symptoms. It is usually recommended to investigate and treat the root causes of anxiety prior to treating the ADHD because it can help to alleviate anxiety symptoms.
In some instances, anxiety symptoms in ADHD children are the cause of their anxiety. Psychostimulants and cognitive-behavioral therapy are usually the most effective treatments for anxiety in this situation. This is because these treatments will tackle the root cause of the problem and decrease ADHD symptoms and, in turn, reduce the anxiety.
Antidepressants are also often prescribed to people with coexisting ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants, which attack the brain chemical serotonin can aid in reducing anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft, Lexapro and Sertraline.
Your doctor will ultimately decide what medication is most suitable for you. Before recommending a drug, they will consider your lifestyle, symptoms, age, in addition to other health issues. It is important to discuss with your doctor about your goals for treatment and adhere to a regular schedule when taking any medication.
Other options
Other treatment options may be beneficial to manage ADHD or anxiety, depending on your health goals. These include mindfulness meditation and yoga (Emotional Freedom techniques) tapping sleep and nutrition, exercise and healthy eating habits.
People with anxiety are more likely to suffer from symptoms of ADHD Dr. Hallowell says, which can make it difficult to treat both conditions at once. He typically prescribes stimulants first to address ADHD before turning to non-stimulant drugs like bupropion, atomoxetine, or guanfacine for anxiety disorders. These medications are available 24/7 and are not controlled substances, as stimulants are.