Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The medications that treat ADHD are often effective for anxiety, too. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine or antidepressants may also help.
In how does medication for adhd work , stimulant medications can worsen anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor might prescribe another medication or switch medications.
Stimulants
Stimulants are usually the drug of choice for people with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety. These drugs are believed to ease the symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety by enhancing the brain's natural production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps in concentration, decreases impulsivity and supports memory and motivation.
The stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines block the reuptake of norepinephrine as well as dopamine, thereby keeping their levels higher in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces the tendency to be impulsive and makes it easier for you to control anger and other feelings which can make anxiety worse.
However, stimulants can also have an an unexpected side effect: they sometimes increase symptoms of anxiety. They can also cause sleep problems, meaning that you or your child might have trouble getting enough restful sleep. They can also decrease appetite, which can interfere in eating enough to maintain healthy growth. Some people suffer from the tics as tics, which are loud sounds or movements, such as blinking of the eyes or clearing of the throat. While these effects are common they can be mitigated or eliminated by some simple strategies.
It's important to keep in mind that each person responds differently stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It may take a little trial and error to find the right combination of medications dosages, schedules, and dosages for you or your children.
When creating a treatment plan, your doctor will consider your specific health issues and your lifestyle. They'll likely recommend a treatment to manage anxiety and observe your response to medication to determine which treatment options are most suitable for you.
Certain ADHD medications can interact with medications for treating anxiety. For instance, Adderall can make anxiety more severe in children with co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants could alter the way the brain processes information about potential threats from the external and internal environment.
This does not mean that ADHD and anxiety cannot be treated in tandem. It's also possible that improving ADHD symptoms can help reduce anxiety, too, as they might reduce the number of anxiety-provoking situations and conflicts that children who are not treated for ADHD face.
Psychostimulants are generally found to be effective for improving both ADHD and anxiety in several studies. They are generally more effective than traditional antianxiety medications for both disorders. It's possible that the reduction of anxiety using psychostimulants was a result of the improved ADHD symptoms rather than the substance itself.
