15 Interesting Facts About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety You've Never Known
15 Interesting Facts About Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety You've Never Known
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Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect as much as 50% of adults who have ADHD. Treatment options for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can improve concentration and focus. They work by keeping the receptors that are already "fired up" in your brain "turned-on". They may trigger tics, and also increase your heart rate.
Stimulants
Stimulants like methylphenidates and amphetamines, are the first medications doctors typically use when treating ADHD. They work quickly to enhance focus and decrease impulsivity. They can also reduce anxiety in certain people by increasing norepinephrine levels. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances and can lead to dependence and abuse. Some adults tolerate them well. They can induce insomnia in the beginning that could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms when the medication is taken off or due to changes in the pattern of sleep. This can be lowered by taking the medication only one time per day instead of taking it three or four times per week, and by creating a regular sleeping schedule.
Stimulants can trigger side effects such as an abrupt increase in blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and changes in sound or vision. They can also cause weight loss or anorexia particularly when used in high doses. Stimulants can also worsen mood instability in certain people and trigger manic or psychotic symptoms to appear. They are contraindicated in people with bipolar disorder, or severe anorexia. The mood swings can also occur when stimulants suddenly removed. In these cases it is crucial to slowly decrease in the dosage.
The use of medications to treat anxiety that are not related to ADHD could be used to treat people with the condition. For instance antidepressants like SSRIs such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine can sometimes aid in the treatment of anxiety related to ADHD, as well as depression. These medications are usually prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe them to treat ADHD however, medical research doesn't support this usage.
Non-stimulant medicines for ADHD are more difficult to use, but can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase focus. They don't affect the level of norepinephrine in the brain as strongly as stimulants, and they are less likely to cause rapid heart rate or cause agitation. This class of medications includes strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, like behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication, are a viable option to treat ADHD and anxiety. Research has shown that the most effective treatment is using a combination of medications and behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for instance, teach skills that reduce anxiety, such as mindfulness, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Some children with ADHD also struggle with anxiety, and in those cases, the best strategy is to treat the ADHD first, then to prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will enable I Am Psychiatry the child to focus better in school and suffer less anxiety-related symptoms associated with ADHD. It is important to regularly attend therapy sessions to reap the maximum benefit. If needed, a doctor may recommend an additional psychiatric medication to treat anxiety. It could be a tricyclic like Tofranil. If anxiety is not addressed, it could hinder the ability of a child to participate in and benefit from therapy. It is essential to establish the correct diagnosis and the treatment correct the first time.