Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The medications that treat ADHD generally work well for anxiety too. The stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine increase levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Antidepressants and nonstimulants like atomoxetine may also help.
In some instances, stimulant medications can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, then your doctor may recommend a different medication or switch medications.
Stimulants
Stimulants are usually the drug of choice for those with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety. They are believed to help with both ADHD and anxiety because they increase brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps to improve concentration and decreases impulsivity. It also supports motivation and memory.
The stimulant drugs like amphetamines or methylphenidate block the reuptake norepinephrine, which keeps dopamine and norepinephrine at higher levels in your brain. This improves concentration and decreases the tendency to be impulsive and makes it easier to control anger and other emotions which can make anxiety worse.
However, stimulants can also have an unexpected side effects: they sometimes increase symptoms of anxiety. They can also cause sleep issues, which means you or your child may have trouble getting enough restful sleep. They can also decrease appetite, which can hinder in eating enough to maintain healthy growth. Certain sufferers also experience tics, which are sudden sounds or movements like eye blinks and throat clearing. Although these symptoms are common they can be controlled or eliminated using some simple strategies.
It's important to remember that every person reacts differently to 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 your child or yourself.
Your doctor will take into account your specific conditions and lifestyle when determining a treatment plan. They'll likely recommend a therapy to reduce anxiety and track the response of your medication to determine which treatment options are most suitable for you.
Certain ADHD medications may interact with medications for treating anxiety. Adderall for instance can cause anxiety in children who have both ADHD and anxiety. Iampsychiatry is because psychostimulants alter the way that the brain processes information about possible threats in the external and internal environments and it's possible they can interfere with this normal process.
This does not mean that ADHD and anxiety can't be treated in conjunction. It's also possible that treating ADHD symptoms can help reduce anxiety, too, since they could reduce the number of anxiety-inducing situations and conflicts that children who are not treated for ADHD have to deal with.
Psychostimulants are generally effective in treating both ADHD and anxiety, as per several studies. They're usually more efficient than traditional antianxiety drugs for both disorders. It's possible that the reduction of anxiety using psychostimulants was due to the improvement in ADHD symptoms, rather than the substance itself.