Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The medications that treat ADHD are often effective for anxiety, too. The stimulants methylphenidate, amphetamine boost levels of certain neurotransmitters in your brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine and antidepressants can also aid.
In certain instances stimulant medications can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor may prescribe another medication or even switch your medications completely.
Stimulants
Stimulants are typically the treatment of choice for people suffering from ADHD who also suffer from anxiety. These drugs are believed to ease the symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety by boosting the brain's natural production of dopamine, an neurotransmitter that improves concentration, reduces impulsivity and improves motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate and amphetamines are effective in preventing the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, thereby keeping them at higher levels in the brain. This improves concentration and decreases the tendency to be impulsive which makes it easier to control anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
However, stimulants can cause an an unexpected side effect as they can cause an increase in symptoms of anxiety. Your child or you may also be struggling to get enough sleep. They can also decrease appetite, which can hinder in eating enough to sustain healthy growth. Some people also experience tics, which are sudden sounds or movements like eye blinking and throat clearing. These effects, though common, can be reduced or eliminated using a few simple techniques.
It is important to keep in mind that every person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It could require some trial and error with different dosages, schedules and medications to find the right combination that works for you or your child.
When creating types of adhd medication , your healthcare provider will take into account your specific symptoms and life style. They may recommend treatments to ease anxiety and monitor your reaction to medications to determine the most effective treatment options for you.
Treatments for anxiety can interact with certain ADHD medications. For instance, Adderall can make anxiety worse in some children with comorbid ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants could alter the way the brain processes information regarding possible threats from both the external and internal environment.
However this doesn't mean ADHD and anxiety aren't treated together. It's also possible that reducing ADHD symptoms can reduce anxiety, too, as they could reduce the number of anxiety-provoking situations and conflicts that children who are not treated for ADHD confront.
Psychostimulants are generally effective in treating both ADHD and anxiety, based on numerous studies. They are generally more efficient than traditional antianxiety drugs for both disorders. It's possible that the reduction in anxiety seen with psychostimulants is a direct result of the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not a direct interaction with the drug.