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How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression When a person suffers from both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating the first disorder can help the second. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or stimulants for depression along with an ADHD medication. Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants prescribed to treat ADHD “off-label”. These drugs increase levels of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine and help improve concentration. 1. Methylphenidate Methylphenidate is also known as the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. 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 in the form of a liquid, chewable tablet, or extended-release capsule. It can also be given through the skin. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from ADHD to also suffer from mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. It is essential to tell your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, including stimulants can cause them get worse. In certain situations you may have to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication. Methylphenidate can cause side effects, such as headaches or stomachaches. It can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure and you should make regular appointments with your doctor to examine these. It may also trigger facial ticks (uncontrollable rapid movements of the face). It should not be taken by those with an inherited condition known as phenylketonuria, who have trouble in metabolizing the chemical phenylalanine. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication should not drive or operate machinery while taking methylphenidate. It can cause dizziness as well as blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. If you experience difficulty taking tablets, ask your doctor about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. You should not crush or chew these medications. If you have difficulty eating solid food, ask your doctor about liquid medicines that can be mixed into soft food or drinks such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt. 2. Lisdexamfetamine Lisdexamfetamine is a drug that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances within the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children of 6 years and older. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults. Adults with ADHD are frequently afflicted with depression and anxiety disorders. It is important to treat these disorders to help them feel better and perform at their best, both at work and at home. Certain medications that are commonly used to treat mental health problems may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have. Depression and anxiety are both complicated conditions, as they involve various symptoms. Certain antidepressants, including Wellbutrin (bupropion) or Effexor (venlafaxine), are often prescribed to treat these disorders and may increase focus and concentration for people suffering from ADHD or ADHD. They are effective by increasing certain neurotransmitters inside the brain. They are not at risk for abuse and misuse. The medication showed promising results in studies involving adults suffering from ADHD or depression, anxiety or ADHD. It decreased the symptoms of anxiety and depression and improved ADHD ratings and executive function measures. It was also safe to use. Tell your doctor if any other medications are being used for any reason, including MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines should not be used for 14 days following the use of lisdexamfetamine. It is also important to let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine, or any other ingredient in the medication. 3. Atomoxetine Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication that is also used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing the reuptake process of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. The drug raises levels of this chemical in the brain to increase alertness, decrease anxiety and depression symptoms. It is important to remember that this medication is not recommended as a standalone treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the patient seeks treatment from a qualified therapist or psychiatrist. Numerous studies have been conducted to assess the effects of atomoxetine on patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 randomized controlled trials and two post-hoc subgroup studies. In most cases, atomoxetine outperformed placebo on both measures of improvement in symptom severity and cognitive function. However it is important to note that the overall sample size of these studies was small. The medication is also known to cause some side effects, including abdominal pain as well as a high heart rate. These side effects are usually mild and don't affect all people who take this medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine have thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were reported in short-term clinical trials with adolescents and children who took the drug. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials. As with stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In fact the results of an investigation of adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder, atomoxetine was found to outperform the placebo. This is a promising outcome which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used in conjunction with other treatments for both disorders. It will require more research to determine if atomoxetine may be effective in other forms of anxiety disorders that are comorbid. 4. Bupropion Bupropion is a nonstimulant medication that boosts the amount of a chemical found in the brain known as noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Increasing it can help with concentration and impulse control. This drug is usually prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your doctor. It's also linked to more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage. Anxiety is a condition that causes intense fear and nervousness. It may cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, shortness of breath, as well as feelings of anxiety or dread. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to manage their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them. Certain people with ADHD may also experience anxiety. The condition can cause issues with relationships and emotions, and also a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, like forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can lead to feelings of frustration and inability. Stimulants such as lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, and so can nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, however these medications work differently than stimulants. Antidepressants are often prescribed by your physician to treat ADHD. They may be prescribed on their own or together with stimulants. However they aren't typically prescribed to children and teenagers. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. This involves talking with an expert in mental health, and is 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 physical exercise in your daily routine. 5. Tricyclic antidepressants A mental health professional could suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may sometimes improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, which can help improve depressive symptoms and anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine(Prozac), citalopram(Celexa), and escitalopram(Lexapro) boost the levels of neurotransmitter Serotonin in your brain to improve your mood and reduce 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 were initially developed as antipsychotics, but were later discovered to possess powerful antidepressant properties. These drugs include amitriptyline nortriptyline and imipramine. Tricyclics also decrease a person's sensitivity to noise, increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause sleepiness. People taking them should not drive or operate dangerous equipment until they are certain of how they will react to the medication. Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercising, getting enough sleep and eating a nutritious diet rich in whole fruits, grains 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 providers for affordable, insurance-free online mental health care. Find out more and schedule an appointment today.