Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
Treatments for ADHD generally work well for anxiety, too. The stimulants methylphenidate, amphetamine boost levels of certain brain neurotransmitters. Antidepressants and nonstimulants like atomoxetine can also aid.
In some cases stimulant medications can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If most effective adhd medication for adults is the case, your doctor could prescribe a different medication or even switch your medications completely.
Stimulants
People with ADHD and anxiety are often prescribed stimulants. These medications are thought to help with both ADHD and anxiety by increasing the brain's natural production of dopamine. an neurotransmitter that improves concentration, decreases impulsivity and helps with motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate block reuptake norepinephrine, which keeps dopamine and norepinephrine at higher levels in your brain. This improves focus and decreases the tendency to be impulsive which makes it easier to manage anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety to become worse.
They can also cause an unintended side effect, for instance, they can sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. Your child or you could also have difficulty getting enough sleep. Additionally, they may reduce appetite, which can hinder eating enough to support healthy growth. Some people also experience tics which are sudden sounds or movements such as eye blinks and throat clearing. These side effects, although common, can be reduced or eliminated with certain techniques.
It is important to keep in mind that every person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It may take some trial and error with various dosages, medications and schedules to find a combination that works for you or your child.
Your doctor will take into consideration your particular issues and lifestyle when creating the treatment plan. They may suggest a treatment to reduce anxiety and will monitor your response to medications to determine the most effective options for you.
Treatments for anxiety may interact with some ADHD medications. For instance, Adderall can make anxiety worse for children who have the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants can alter the way that the brain processes information regarding potential threats from the external and internal environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety can't be treated in tandem. It's possible that treating ADHD symptoms can also help reduce anxiety. This is because they can reduce the number and intensity of anxiety-inducing situations children with ADHD have to deal with.
Psychostimulants are generally effective for treating both ADHD and anxiety, according to numerous studies. They're usually more efficient than traditional antianxiety drugs for both disorders. It's possible that the improvement of anxiety using psychostimulants was an outcome of the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not the substance itself.