ADHD and Anxiety Medication

Anxiety disorders can be co-occurring with ADHD. Anxiety can cause restlessness, sleep disturbance and irritability.

Stimulant medications can help alleviate these symptoms, but they can also cause side effects such as small growth reductions and tics in adolescents and children. Some people also find that their anxiety increases when taking stimulant drugs.

Stimulants

Stimulants are substances used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the condition known as 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 can be found in tablets, capsules crystals, chunky clear crystals, or a brown or white powder. The use of large doses can result in over-stimulation, resulting in anxiety and stomach cramps, panic, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can also lead to addiction and serious side effects, such as heart problems high blood pressure, heart problems and stroke.

They have also been proven to alleviate anxiety symptoms. They work by increasing brain chemicals such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. They are less in ADHD patients. This improves communication and activity between parts of the brain that regulate the executive and attention functions. This leads to improved impulse control, and anxiety symptoms decrease.

Research has shown that both atomoxetine as well as methylphenidate reduce anxiety symptoms in adults suffering from ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. Both medications improved anxiety symptoms beginning as early as the 4th week of treatment. The benefits lasted for 8 weeks.

It is important to keep in mind that the kind of medication best for treating anxiety and ADHD co-occurring symptoms could depend on which disorder has a larger impact on the quality of life of a person. A person may experience a variety of mini-crises that cause worry throughout the day as they rush to make appointments or keep up with assignments at school or at work. These can be stressful and cause anxiety more often than symptoms of panic attacks or phobia.

In these situations the antidepressants, or SSRIs are the best option to treat anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs have been proven effective at the reduction of anxiety levels among adults. These are usually taken orally and may take a bit longer to work, but the most popular options are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Sertraline and Fluoxetine, as well as serotonin and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like venlafaxine and duloxetine. These are often taken alongside cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and are particularly useful if the patient experiences high blood pressure.

SSRIs

Antidepressants, including SSRIs (antidepressant medications), are often used to treat anxiety disorders. The prototype drug in this category is fluoxetine, better known as Prozac. The SSRIs are also able to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. These medications are more flexible than previous generation antidepressants, and they have fewer and fewer severe adverse effects.

The SSRIs hinder the reuptake of serotonin from synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter in the synapse to stay active and communicate with the post synaptic cell more than would be the case otherwise. This can increase the production of norepinephrine, which can reduce anxiety. This can also increase levels of neuronal cyclicAMP (cAMP), stimulating the synthesis of proteins.

Additionally, SSRIs can decrease impulsiveness and decrease hyperactivity. They can also improve the quality of sleep and reduce agitation in some individuals with ADHD. These medications can, however increase the risk of suicidal behavior and thoughts in certain people. They may also cause an increase in appetite and weight gain, especially when they are first introduced.

Another type of antidepressant called SNRIs, works differently than SSRIs. SNRIs prevent the reuptake of serotonin as well as norepinephrine. Like SSRIs they may have an effect on anxiety, but they also improve the functioning of heart muscle and blood vessels, which can reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. People with bipolar disorder also benefit from their use.

The most common SNRIs are duloxetine (Cymbalta) and the venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR) and desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq). The SNRIs can increase blood pressure in certain individuals, so they should not be taken by anyone with high blood pressure or heart disease.

In addition to medications in addition, there are a variety of behavioral therapies that can help with anxiety and ADHD. Meditation and mindfulness techniques can reduce stress and anxiety. Some people find tapping certain body points or techniques for emotional freedom, helps lower cortisol which is the hormone that causes anxiety. Exercise and diet can reduce anxiety. Your doctor may suggest that you consume whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and stay away from sugar, as it can cause anxiety in certain ADHD children and adults.

Non-stimulant based medications

While stimulants are very effective in treating ADHD and have been studied extensively however they are not the best option for those with anxiety disorders and ADHD. These medications can trigger adverse effects such as jitteriness, rapid heart rate, and nervousness that may be similar to or worsen anxiety symptoms.

Non-stimulant drugs are a more recent option that has been used to treat ADHD since 2002 (under the brand name Strattera). They do not increase blood pressure or heart rate and are less likely than stimulant medications to cause anxiety-related adverse reactions such as sweating, shaking or here nervousness.

Atomoxetine works by targeting receptors for norepinephrine, a brain chemical that improves attention and reduce the impulsivity and hyperactivity. It has also been found to improve anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with ADHD. Researchers collected clinical articles from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO to determine if atomoxetine reduced anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Another medication that can be effective in relieving anxiety is bupropion, which is a drug that targets the brain chemical dopamine. Bupropion is usually prescribed to people who have ADHD and depression. It can also improve mood and help reduce anxiety symptoms. It is usually best to address the anxiety first before treating ADHD. This will usually reduce the anxiety symptoms.

In some instances, anxiety symptoms in ADHD children may be the cause of their anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral treatment and psychostimulants are generally the most effective treatments for anxiety in this scenario. These treatments can help reduce ADHD symptoms and anxiety by addressing the root causes of the issue.

Antidepressants are also frequently prescribed to those suffering from co-existing ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants, which target the brain chemical serotonin, can help to relieve anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft Lexapro, and Sertraline.

Your doctor will ultimately decide what medication is right for you. They will look at your lifestyle, symptoms and age, as well as other health conditions before making a recommendation for any medication. It is important to discuss with your doctor about your treatment goals and to stick to a daily routine while taking any medication.

Other options

Depending on your unique health goals, there are a variety of treatment options that may also be beneficial in managing ADHD and anxiety. These include mindfulness, meditation yoga, yoga, tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques), sleep and nutrition, as well as exercise and healthy eating habits.

People who are anxious are more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD Dr. Hallowell says, which can make it difficult to treat both conditions at the same time. He typically prescribes stimulants to treat ADHD, and then turns to non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine, bupropion, or guanfacine to treat anxiety disorders. These medications are used throughout the day and are not controlled substances as stimulants.