ADHD and Anxiety Medication
Many people with ADHD also have anxiety, and their symptoms can get worse when they are taking stimulants. Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can help alleviate anxiety as well as ADHD symptoms.
Antidepressants can also help reduce anxiety, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Beta-blockers, such a propranolol and atenolol, may be prescribed by doctors. adhd medication names may be prescribed as a first-line treatment, or as an add-on to other medicines.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a class of drugs that increase activity in the central nervous system. They are often prescribed for ADHD to help people with limited attention spans concentrate and manage their behavior. They can also treat anxiety. Stimulants can cause adverse effects that make them less effective in treating anxiety. Before starting any medication, it's important to talk with your doctor about this issue.
Medications that are considered stimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexydrine that are all FDA-approved to treat ADHD. Amphetamines also fall into this category, as are methylphenidate and pseudoephedrine. Illicit stimulants are methamphetamine, cocaine, bath salts and MDMA (a synthetic cathinone).
A 2015 meta-analysis found that taking ADHD medications did not cause an increase in anxiety symptoms in children suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. This conclusion was based on a variety of studies using validated scales and prospective methods. The studies were open-label and did not compare results to the control group. Therefore, the results should be viewed cautiously until further research is conducted with controlled randomized studies.
The stimulants can have a variety of negative side effects, some which are unpleasant or dangerous. Some of the most frequent side effects include:
Upset stomach, including nausea and vomiting
Occasionally, stimulants can cause an increased blood pressure or heart rate that can be dangerous in those with an underlying history of heart disease. They can also decrease appetite, which could lead to weight loss. These medications can also slow growth in some children and adolescents. This effect is not severe and does not alter the final height.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications are prescribed when stimulants do not help or cause unacceptable adverse side consequences. These drugs aren't as effective as stimulants but can still be very helpful. They work more slowly, prolonging brain receptors involved in regulating emotions and behavior. Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant drug extensively used to treat ADHD has very low abuse or addiction risk. However, it comes with an indication on its label that says it can cause suicidal thoughts in a small percentage of people.
Antidepressants have not been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD however some mental health professionals prescribe them for patients suffering from both ADHD and anxiety. They work by affecting the neurotransmitter neurpinephrine to decrease anxiety, and can also help with ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity. Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine and paroxetine are often used to treat anxiety and ADHD.
Other medications that are used "off-label" to treat ADHD and anxiety include clonidine, which works on the vagus nerve and guanfacine. Both act on a particular brain chemical known as norepinephrine.
Behavioral therapy is a good option for people with ADHD or anxiety, in addition to medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) concentrates on teaching techniques that can be utilized to combat anxiety-related issues and improve performance. It also helps people learn to recognize and modify harmful habits of thinking that contribute to the anxiety.