ADHD and Anxiety Medication
Many people who suffer from ADHD also experience anxiety and their symptoms can get worse when they take stimulants. However, non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can help relieve anxiety as well as ADHD symptoms.
Antidepressants may also reduce anxiety, specifically selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors such as citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Beta-blockers, like propranolol or atenolol, can be prescribed by doctors. They are often prescribed as a first-line treatment as an add-on to other medicines.
Stimulants
Stimulants are medications that boost the activity of the central nervous systems. They are often prescribed for ADHD to help people with limited attention spans concentrate and manage their behavior. They can also be used to combat anxiety. However, stimulants may cause adverse effects that can make them less effective in anxiety treatment. Before beginning any medication, it's important to talk with your doctor about this concern.
Adderall, Ritalin and Dexydrine are stimulants that are FDA-approved to treat ADHD. Other medications in this category include amphetamines methylphenidate, as well as pseudoephedrine. Illicit stimulants include methamphetamine, other substances like bath salts, cocaine (synthetic cathinones) and ecstasy (MDMA).
A meta-analysis conducted in 2015 showed that taking ADHD medications did not worsen anxiety symptoms in children with ADHD and anxiety disorders. This conclusion was based upon several studies using validated scales and methodologies as well as prospective ones. These studies were open-label, and did not compare results with the control group. Therefore, the results should be viewed with caution until further research has been conducted using controlled, random trials.
The stimulants can have a variety of side effects, some of which can be unpleasant or dangerous. Some common ones include:
Upset stomach, including nausea and vomiting
Sometimes, stimulants can trigger an increase in heart rate or blood-pressure which could be harmful for those with a history of heart disease. They can also reduce appetite, which can result in weight loss. Some adolescents and children may also experience a slowing of growth when taking stimulant medications. The effect is usually mild and does not affect the final height of a person.
adhd medications -stimulant medicines for ADHD are often prescribed when stimulants do not help or cause intolerable side effects. These medications do not work as quickly as stimulants, but they can still be very effective. They work slower, extending brain receptors involved in regulating emotions and behavior. Atomoxetine is a widely used non-stimulant medication for ADHD, and it has a low risk of addiction or abuse. However, there is an informational label that it may cause suicidal thoughts in a small number of people.
Antidepressants aren't approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however, certain mental health professionals prescribe them for patients suffering from both ADHD and anxiety. They reduce anxiety by acting on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. They can also help with ADHD-related symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. The most commonly used antidepressants used to treat both anxiety and ADHD include paroxetine and fluoxetine.
Other medications that are employed "off-label" to treat ADHD and anxiety include clonidine which acts on the vagus nerve and guanfacine. Both act on a specific brain chemical called norepinephrine.
In addition to medications and behavioral therapy, behavioral therapy can be helpful for people with ADHD and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral (CBT) is focused on teaching techniques to combat anxiety and improve performance. It assists people to recognize and modify unhelpful thinking patterns that cause anxiety.