Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
Treatments for ADHD are often effective for anxiety, too. adhd and anxiety medication like amphetamine or methylphenidate increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain. Antidepressants and nonstimulants such as atomoxetine may also help.
In some instances, stimulant medications may worsen anxiety symptoms. If this is the case your doctor could prescribe a different medication or switch medications altogether.
Stimulants
People with ADHD and anxiety are often prescribed stimulants. They are believed to aid in the treatment of ADHD and anxiety by boosting the brain's natural production of dopamine. which is a neurotransmitter that helps in concentration, reduces impulsivity, and improves motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or amphetamines block the reuptake norepinephrine, which keeps dopamine and norepinephrine in higher levels in your brain. This improves focus and reduces the tendency to be impulsive which makes it easier to manage anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
However, stimulants can also have an an unexpected side effect: they sometimes increase symptoms of anxiety. You or your child could also be struggling to get enough sleep. They can also reduce appetite, which could hinder in eating enough to sustain healthy growth. Some people also experience tics which are sudden movements or sounds, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. While these effects are common, they can be reduced or eliminated with a few simple techniques.
It's important to remember that every person reacts differently to stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It might take some trial and error with various medications, dosages and schedules to find a combination that works for you or your child.
When developing an appropriate treatment plan, your physician will take into account your specific health issues and your lifestyle. They will likely recommend treatments to ease anxiety and track your reaction to medications to determine the most effective options for you.
Some ADHD medications may interact with medication used to treat anxiety. Adderall for instance can cause anxiety in children with both ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants may affect the way that the brain processes information regarding possible threats from both the external and internal environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety aren't treated in tandem. It's possible that treating ADHD symptoms can also reduce anxiety. This is because they may reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety-provoking situations that children with ADHD have to deal with.
Psychostimulants are generally effective for treating both ADHD and anxiety, based on numerous studies. They are generally more effective in treating both disorders than conventional antianxiety medication. It's also possible that the improvement in anxiety that psychostimulants provide is the direct result of improving ADHD symptoms, rather than a direct interaction with the drug.