Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
Treatments for ADHD generally work well for anxiety, too. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine and antidepressants can also aid.
In some cases stimulant medications may worsen anxiety symptoms. If that's the case, your doctor may prescribe another medication or switch medications altogether.
Stimulants
Stimulants are often the medication of choice for people with ADHD who also have anxiety. These medications are believed to help with both ADHD and anxiety as they increase the brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that improves concentration and decreases the impulsivity. It also helps with motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs like amphetamines or methylphenidate block the reuptake of norepinephrine, keeping dopamine and norepinephrine at high levels in your brain. This improves focus and decreases impulse-driven behavior making it easier to control anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
The stimulants can also cause an unintended side effect, which is that they occasionally increase anxiety symptoms. You or your child could also have difficulty getting enough sleep. They can also cause a decrease in appetite, which can interfere in eating enough food to ensure healthy growth. Some people suffer from tics as well that are sudden movements or sounds, such as blinking eyes and clearing of the throat. Although these symptoms are common, they can be reduced or eliminated with some simple strategies.
It is important to keep in mind that everyone responds differently to stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It could take a bit of trial and error to determine the right combination of medications dosages, schedules, and dosages for you or your children.
Your healthcare provider will consider your specific issues and lifestyle when creating the treatment plan. They'll likely suggest a therapy to manage anxiety and observe the response of your medication to determine which treatment options are best for you.
adhd medication for adults uk used to treat anxiety can interact with other ADHD medications. For example, Adderall can make anxiety worse for children who have co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants can alter the way the brain processes information regarding potential threats from the external and internal environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety cannot be treated together. It's possible that treating ADHD symptoms can help to reduce anxiety. This is because they can reduce the number and intensity of anxiety-inducing situations children with ADHD confront.
Psychostimulants have been shown to be effective for improving both ADHD and anxiety in a variety of studies. They're generally more effective than traditional antianxiety medications for both disorders. It's also possible that the improvement in anxiety that psychostimulants provide is a direct result of the improvement of ADHD symptoms, and not a direct interaction with the drug.