Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety

Anxiety disorders can affect up to 50 percent of adults with ADHD. Therapy and medication are effective treatments for both conditions.

Stimulants can improve focus and attention. They work by keeping already activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They often cause tics and may increase your heart rate slightly.

Stimulants

Stimulants, like amphetamines and methylphenidates, are the first medications doctors typically use in treating ADHD. These drugs work quickly to enhance focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity. Some people can reduce anxiety by increasing the level of norepinephrine. Most stimulant medications are controlled substances, and can lead to dependence and abuse. Some adults tolerate them well. They do induce insomnia in the beginning which could be due to a rebound of ADHD symptoms after the medication has worn off or due to changes in the pattern of sleep. This can be reduced by taking the drug only once per day, rather than three or four times, and by establishing regular routines for sleeping.

Possible side effects of stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and changes in vision or hearing. They can also cause anorexia and weight loss especially when taken in large doses. They can also increase mood instability in certain people and can cause manic or psychotic symptoms to manifest. They are not recommended for those with bipolar disorder or severe anorexia. The stimulants can trigger mood swings if they are abruptly stopped. In these cases, it is important to slowly reduction in the dosage.

The use of medications to treat anxiety that are not related to ADHD may be used for people suffering from the disorder. For instance, antidepressants such as SSRIs like Sertraline and Fluoxetine may aid in the treatment of anxiety related to ADHD as well as depression. These medications are often prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Some doctors prescribe these medications to treat ADHD, but this use is not supported by research in medical science.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications take longer to act but they can decrease the impulsivity of children and improve attention. They don't affect the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain as much as stimulants, and they are less likely to trigger an increase in heart rate or agitation. The medications that fall under this class of drugs are strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay and Intuniv) and Guanfacine ER (Intuniv and Tenex).

A combination of strategies can be employed to treat ADHD and anxiety, such as behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapies and medications. Research has shown that the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy helps teach skills that can help reduce a person's anxiety like deep breathing, mindfulness meditation and techniques for calming. In the event that children suffering from ADHD have anxiety issues it is recommended to treat adhd without medication adults the ADHD before prescribing an SSRI. This will allow the child to concentrate better at school and experience less ADHD-related anxiety symptoms. It is essential to attend therapy regularly to reap the maximum benefit. Then, if needed doctors may recommend an additional psychiatric medication to combat anxiety. This may be a tricyclic antidepressant like Tofranil. If anxiety isn't treated, it could hinder the child's ability to participate in and benefit from therapy. This is why it is crucial to determine the cause and treatment correct the first time.