8 Tips To Enhance Your Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety Game
8 Tips To Enhance Your Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety Game
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Best ADHD Medication For Adults With Anxiety
As high as 50% of people who suffer from ADHD also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Treatment strategies for both conditions include medication as well as therapy.
Stimulants can increase focus and concentration. They work by keeping already activated brain receptors "turned on" or "fired up." They often cause tics and may increase the heart rate.
Stimulants
When treating ADHD doctors typically begin with stimulants like methylphenidates or amphetamines. These drugs work quickly to improve focus and decrease the amount of impulsivity. They can help alleviate anxiety in certain people by increasing norepinephrine levels. The majority of stimulant medications are controlled substances and therefore carry a risk of addiction and abuse. Some adults are tolerant of them. They can cause insomnia at first which could be due to a relapse of ADHD symptoms after the medication has worn off or due to an alteration in sleep patterns. This can be reduced by taking the medication only once per day, instead of three or four times per week, and also by creating an established sleeping routine.
Possible side effects of stimulants can include a sudden rise in blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat and changes in vision or hearing. They can also cause anorexia and weight loss particularly when taken in high doses. The stimulants can also cause mood instability in certain adhd and anxiety medication people, and cause psychotic or manic-like symptoms to manifest. They are not recommended for those with bipolar disorder, or severe anorexia. The mood swings can occur when stimulants are suddenly stopped. In these instances it is crucial to gradually decrease the dosage.
Medications to treat anxiety that are different than ADHD could be used to treat those suffering from the disorder. Antidepressants such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine, for example are able to help with anxiety and depression that are related to ADHD. These drugs are typically prescribed "off-label" for ADHD. Certain doctors also prescribe these medications to treat ADHD however this practice is not supported by medical research.
Non-stimulant medicines for ADHD are more difficult to use, but can help reduce the impulsivity of children and improve focus. They do not alter the amount of norepinephrine present in the brain as significantly as stimulants, and are less likely to trigger an increase in heart rate or cause agitation. This class of drugs includes strattera (atomoxetine), Clonidine (Kapvay, Intuniv), and Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex).
Combinations of strategies, like cognitive-behavioral treatment, behavior therapy, and medications, are a viable option to treat ADHD and anxiety. The most effective treatment for ADHD and anxiety is a combination medication and behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies, like teach techniques to reduce anxiety, like mindfulness, deep breathing, and techniques for calming. In cases where children with ADHD have anxiety issues, it is best to treat the ADHD before prescribing an SSRI. This will help the child be more focused at school and will experience less anxiety related to ADHD. To achieve the best results it is essential to keep attending therapy sessions regularly. Then, if needed doctors may recommend an additional psychiatric medication to treat anxiety. This could be a tricyclic, like Tofranil. If anxiety is not treated it may hinder the ability of a child to benefit from therapy. This is why it is crucial to get the diagnosis and treatment right the first time.