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How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression When a person has both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression or antidepressants in conjunction with ADHD medication. Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed for ADHD “off-label”. These medications boost the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine as well as norepinephrine. They also improve concentration. 1. Methylphenidate Methylphenidate is the top choice medication for adults suffering from ADHD or anxiety depression. It is in a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants and works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances within your brain. It is available as a tablet, liquid chewable tablets, extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin. It is not unusual for people with ADHD also to be afflicted by mood disorders like depression or anxiety. You should tell your doctor about any anxiety or depression you might be suffering from. Some medications, particularly stimulants can make these disorders worse. In medication for adhd adults may require both a medication to treat anxiety and a stimulant medication. Methylphenidate can cause headaches and stomachaches. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure which is why you should make regular visits to your physician to examine these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by people who have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria, who have trouble in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also risky to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should inform your doctor that you intend to become pregnant. You should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness, blurred vision and sleepiness. Drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you have problems swallowing tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules or orally disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you're having trouble eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft foods or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding. 2. Lisdexamfetamine Lisdexamfetamine (LDX) is an anthelminthic medication that belongs to the family of central nervous system stimulants. It affects the quantity of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in children and adults who are aged 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorders in adults. Adults suffering from ADHD frequently suffer from anxiety and depression. It is crucial to treat these disorders so that they can feel better and perform at their best both at work and at home. Certain medications used to treat mental disorders may interfere negatively with ADHD medication. It is crucial to be honest about any other medical concerns. Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, since they can trigger a variety of symptoms. Some antidepressants, such as Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are commonly used to treat these ailments and may increase focus and concentration in people with ADHD/ADHD. They work by increasing certain neurotransmitters within the brain. They are not at risk for abuse and misuse. In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression The medication had promising results. It reduced the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe to use. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications, including MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), linezolid (Zyvox), the methylene blue, Phenelzine (Nardil) selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These medicines should not be used for 14 days after the administration of lisdexamfetamine. Consult your physician if you have an allergy to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredients in this medication. 3. Atomoxetine Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD drug that is used to treat depression. It is believed to work by blocking reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. This medication should not, however, be used on its own to treat anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist. There have been a variety of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 controlled studies that are randomized and 2 post-hoc subgroup analysis. In most cases the atomoxetine treatment outperformed placebo in both measures of symptom improvement and cognitive function. It is important to keep in mind that the sample size of these studies was very small. Some side effects of this medication include abdominal pain and rapid heart rate. These effects are usually mild and do not occur in all people who take the medication. In some cases, people who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials with adolescents and children taking the medication. However, suicides did not occur in these trials. As with stimulants, atomoxetine can also be effective in treating comorbid ADHD/anxiety. In a recent study atomoxetine proved to be more effective than placebo for adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is a promising outcome that suggests this medication may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments for both disorders. More research will be needed to determine whether the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other types of anxiety disorders comorbid with each other. 4. Bupropion Bupropion, a nonstimulant drug boosts the chemical noradrenaline within the brain. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Its increase can assist in focusing and controlling impulses. Your doctor may recommend this medication in capsule form, usually taken once or twice daily. It's also been linked to more serious side effects, like suicidal thoughts and liver damage. Anxiety is a disorder that causes intense, persistent anxiety and a sense of restlessness. It may cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, and feelings of dread or panic. People suffering from anxiety disorders frequently struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them. Some people with ADHD can also experience anxiety. The condition can cause emotional and relationship problems and low self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as the tendency to forget and impulsiveness can result in feelings of anger and failure. Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, as can non-stimulant medications like Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine, (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv or Tenex) can also be used to treat ADHD in adults. However, these medications are different from stimulants. While antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, your doctor can prescribe them alone or along with a stimulant. However, they're not typically prescribed for children and teens. Psychotherapy is a third treatment option. This involves talking to an expert in mental health, and it's sometimes effective for treating anxiety and ADHD together. Making changes to your routine and habits can help manage these conditions. For instance, you can try yoga or meditation as well as reducing sleep and stress and incorporating exercise into your daily routine. 5. Tricyclic antidepressants In certain situations the mental health professional might recommend antidepressants as a part of your treatment program. These drugs are not FDA approved to treat ADHD but they can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms if taken together with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin as well as norepinephrine in your brain, and therefore can help improve depressive symptoms as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, like fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) can increase the levels of the neurotransmitter Serotonin within your brain to improve your mood and decrease anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors — such as mirtazapine (Remeron) and nefazodone (Serzone) — also lift your mood by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin that your brain's chemical messengers release. Tricyclic antidepressants, so named after the three rings of their chemical structure, were initially designed as antipsychotics, and later discovered to have potent antidepressant properties. These medications include amitriptyline, nortriptyline and imipramine. Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. They can cause drowsiness, so those taking them should avoid driving or operating machinery that could be dangerous until they are aware of how they will react to the medication. A variety of lifestyle changes can improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also reduce stress. And, if you're struggling with managing your anxiety and ADHD, Klarity can connect you with licensed professionals for convenient, insurance-free online mental health services. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.