What Is Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety? What Are The Benefits And How To Utilize It
What Is Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety? What Are The Benefits And How To Utilize It
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Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
As high as 50% of people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Both therapy and medication are effective treatments for both conditions.
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, like amphetamines and methylphenidates are the first medication doctors typically use when treating ADHD. They work quickly to improve concentration and reduce impulsivity. They can help reduce anxiety in some individuals by increasing the levels of norepinephrine. The majority of stimulant drugs are controlled substances and therefore carry a risk of abuse and addiction. However certain adults find that they are able to take them without issue. They do tend to induce insomnia in the beginning that could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms when the medication has worn off or due to changes in the pattern of sleep. This can be controlled by taking the medication one time per day instead of three or four times a week, and by establishing regular sleeping patterns.
Potential side effects from stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or changes in vision or hearing. They may also trigger weight loss or anorexia, particularly if they are taken at high doses. They can also increase mood instability in certain people, and cause psychotic or manic-like symptoms to develop. They are not recommended for people with Tourette's disorder, bipolar disorder or severe anorexia. Mood swings may also occur when stimulants are abruptly removed. In these situations it is crucial to slowly decrease in the dosage.
People suffering from ADHD may be prescribed medications to treat anxiety. Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine, for example are able to help with anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. These drugs are typically 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 take longer to work however they can help reduce the tendency to be impulsive and increase the amount of attention. They don't affect the level of norepinephrine in the brain as much as stimulants, and they are less likely to cause rapid heart rate or cause agitation. This class of medications includes strattera (atomoxetine) and Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
A combination of strategies can be utilized to treat ADHD and anxiety, which includes behavior therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapies and medications. Research has shown that the most effective treatment is the combination of medication and behavioral therapy.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapies helps teach skills that can reduce anxiety in people, such as deep breathing, mindfulness meditation and techniques for calming. In the event that children suffering from ADHD have anxiety problems it is recommended to treat the ADHD prior to prescribing an SSRI. This will enable the child to concentrate better in school and experience fewer anxiety-related symptoms related to ADHD. It is essential to attend more info regularly therapy sessions to reap the maximum benefit. A doctor may prescribe a psychiatric drug to treat anxiety, if needed. It could be a tricyclic antidepressant, such as Tofranil. If anxiety is not addressed, it can interfere with the ability of a child to participate in and benefit from therapy. This is why it is crucial to get the diagnosis and treatment correct the first time.