ADHD and Anxiety Medication
Anxiety disorders can be co-occurring with ADHD. Anxiety can cause restlessness, irritability and trouble sleeping.
Stimulant medication can help ease these symptoms, but they can also cause side effects such as the development of tics and minor reduction in growth in children and adolescents. Many people also experience their anxiety increases when taking stimulant medication.
Stimulants
Stimulants are 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 can also be found in white or brown dust. Large doses of stimulants can cause over-stimulation and result in anxiety, panic attacks, stomach cramps or paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can result in addiction and serious side effects like heart problems, high pressure and stroke.
The drugs typically prescribed to treat ADHD are also proven to have a track record of alleviating symptoms of anxiety. They work by increasing 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 executive and attention. This leads to an improvement in control of impulses and anxiety symptoms decreasing.
Studies have demonstrated that both atomoxetine and methylphenidate reduce anxiety symptoms in people with ADHD and other anxiety disorders. Both drugs have shown improvement in anxiety symptoms beginning as early as the 4th week of treatment. The benefits was evident for eight weeks.
It is important to keep in mind that the kind of medication that may be best for treating anxiety and ADHD co-occurring symptoms might depend on which disorder has the greatest impact on the quality of life of a person. For instance, a person may experience lots of anxious mini-crises on a daily basis as they rush around to make appointments or try to keep on top of their work or school. These can be very distressing and cause people to feel anxious on a more frequently than the symptoms of a specific anxiety disorder or panic attack would.
In these cases antidepressants or SSRIs are the best choice to treat anxiety-related symptoms. These drugs have been proven to be effective at the reduction of anxiety levels among adults. These are taken orally, and may take a while to take effect. The most commonly used options are selective serotonin reuptake inhibits (SSRIs) that include Sertraline, Fluoxetine and serotonin, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like duloxetine and venlafaxine. These medications can be used together with cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety. They are especially effective for patients who have an elevated or racing heart rate.
SSRIs
Antidepressants, including SSRIs (antidepressant drugs) are commonly used to treat anxiety-related disorders. Prozac is the first drug of this class is fluoxetine. iampsychiatry.uk can also help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. These drugs are more versatile and have fewer side negative effects than the older generation of antidepressants.
The SSRIs inhibit the reuptake serotonin in synapses. This causes the neurotransmitter inside the synapse and signal the post synaptic cell more frequently than would be the case in other circumstances. This may increase the amount of norepinephrine released, which can reduce anxiety symptoms. It may also lead to an increase in the levels of neuronal cyclic AMP (cAMP) which can stimulate protein production.
SSRIs also reduce the amount of impulsivity and hyperactivity. They also can improve the quality of sleep and reduce agitation in some individuals with ADHD. However, these medications can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in some individuals. They may also increase appetite and weight gain when first starting.
SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant than SSRIs. SNRIs hinder the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Like SSRIs, they can have an effect on anxiety, but they also improve the functioning of heart muscle and blood vessels, which could reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Some adults with bipolar disorder also benefit from their use.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Venlafaxine, Duloxetine (Cymbalta), (Effexor XR, Pristiq) and desvenlafaxine are the most popular SNRIs. The SNRIs can raise blood pressure in some individuals and should not be taken by anyone with high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
In addition to medications, there are a number of behavioral treatments that could aid in reducing anxiety and ADHD. Mindfulness-based techniques can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety and stress, as can yoga and meditation. Some people find that tapping specific body points, or Emotional Freedom techniques can help lower cortisol levels which is the hormone responsible for anxiety. Exercise and diet can aid in reducing anxiety. Your doctor can recommend a diet of whole vegetables, fruits and grains and avoiding sugar, which can cause anxiety in some ADHD children and adults.
Non-stimulant based medications
Although stimulants are highly effective in treating ADHD, and have been extensively researched but they are not the most appropriate choice for people who suffer from anxiety and ADHD. Stimulant medications may cause negative side effects such as jitteriness rapid heart rate and nervousness that could resemble or exacerbate anxiety symptoms.
Non-stimulant medications are a more recent option that has been used to treat ADHD since 2002 (under the brand name Strattera). They do not increase the heart rate or blood pressure, and are less likely than stimulant medications to cause anxiety-related side effects like sweating, shaking, or nervousness.
Atomoxetine targets receptors for the brain chemical norepinephrine and can improve attention and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. It has also been proven to improve anxiety symptoms among adolescents and children with ADHD. Researchers gathered clinical articles from PubMed EMBASE PsycINFO and PsycINFO in order to determine if atomoxetine decreased anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents with ADHD.
Bupropion is a different medication that can help with anxiety symptoms. It targets the brain chemical dopamine. Bupropion is usually recommended for those suffering from coexisting depression and ADHD. It can also boost mood and lessen symptoms of anxiety. It is often best to treat anxiety first before tackling ADHD. This will typically make the anxiety symptoms disappear.
In some cases anxiety symptoms in ADHD children are the cause of their anxiety. Psychostimulants and cognitive-behavioral treatments are usually the most effective methods to treat anxiety in this type of situation. This is because these treatments will address the root cause of the problem and reduce ADHD symptoms and, in turn, decrease anxiety.
Antidepressants are also often prescribed for those with co-existing ADHD and anxiety. SSRI antidepressants that target the brain chemical Serotonin can alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve mood. Examples include Zoloft Lexapro and Sertraline.
Your doctor will ultimately decide which medication is best for you. Before recommending a medication they will look at your symptoms, lifestyle and age, as well as other health conditions. It is essential to discuss your goals for treatment with your doctor and stick to a routine daily while taking any medication.
Other options
Based on your specific health goals, there are other treatment options that may also be beneficial in managing ADHD and anxiety. These include mindfulness meditation and yoga (Emotional Freedom techniques) tapping sleep, nutrition, exercise, and healthy eating habits.
Dr. Hallowell says that people with anxiety are more prone to develop symptoms of ADHD, which makes it difficult to treat both conditions at the same time. He prescribes stimulants to treat ADHD first, and then non-stimulant medications such as bupropion or atomoxetine for anxiety disorders. These medications are available 24/7 and are not controlled substances as stimulants are.