Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety

About 50% of people with ADHD also suffer from anxiety disorders. Treatment options for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.

Stimulants are effective in enhancing focus and attention. They work by keeping receptors that are already "fired up" in your brain "turned-on". They can cause tics, and increase your heart rate.

Stimulants

Stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidates are the first medications doctors typically use in treating ADHD. They work quickly to enhance concentration and reduce the amount of impulsivity. They can alleviate anxiety in certain individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. Most stimulant medicines are controlled substances and therefore carry a risk of addiction and abuse. Some adults are tolerant of them. They do tend to cause initial insomnia that could be due to a rebound of ADHD symptoms once the medication wears off or to changes in the pattern of sleep. This can be reduced by taking the medication every day, rather than three or four times, and also by developing regular routines for sleeping.

Possible side effects of stimulants could include a sudden rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and changes in hearing or vision. They can also trigger anorexia and weight loss, especially when taken in large doses. The stimulants can also cause mood instability in some individuals and trigger manic or psychotic symptoms to develop. They are contraindicated in people with Tourette's disorder, bipolar disorder or severe anorexia. They can cause mood swings when abruptly stopped. In these instances it is essential to gradually reduce the dosage.

Treatments for anxiety that are different than ADHD can be prescribed to those suffering from the disorder. For instance antidepressants like SSRIs like Sertraline and Fluoxetine can sometimes help with anxiety associated with ADHD, as well as depression. These medications are usually prescribed "off-label", for ADHD. Certain doctors also prescribe these medications to treat ADHD, but this use is not supported by research in medical science.

Non-stimulant ADHD medicines are slower to take effect however they can help reduce the impulsivity of children and improve concentration. They don't affect the level of norepinephrine in the brain as much as stimulants do, and they are less likely to trigger rapid heart rate or cause agitation. This class of drugs includes strattera (atomoxetine) and Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).

Combinations of strategies, including the use of cognitive-behavioral treatments, behavior therapy, and medication, website can be used to treat ADHD and anxiety. Research has shown that the most effective treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.

For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy assists in teaching skills that can help reduce a person's anxiety, such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing and techniques for calming. Certain children with ADHD also struggle with anxiety, and in those instances, the most effective strategy is to treat the ADHD first, and then to prescribe an SSRI for anxiety. This will allow the child to focus better in school and suffer less anxiety-related symptoms associated with ADHD. To achieve the best results it is crucial to keep attending therapy sessions regularly. A doctor could prescribe an additional psychiatric drug to treat anxiety when needed. This could be a tricyclic antidepressant, like Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated, it can affect a child's capacity to participate in therapy and gain benefits from it. It is essential to establish the correct diagnosis and the correct treatment the first time.