Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
Treatments for ADHD are often effective for anxiety, too. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine and antidepressants can also aid.
In some instances stimulant medications may cause an increase in anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend another medication or switch medications.
Stimulants
People with ADHD and anxiety are frequently prescribed stimulants. These medications are thought to help with both ADHD and anxiety by boosting the brain's natural production of dopamine, an neurotransmitter that improves concentration, reduces impulsivity, and helps with motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs such as amphetamines and methylphenidate block process of reuptake, which keeps dopamine and norepinephrine in higher levels in your brain. This improves concentration and reduces impulsive behaviors which makes it easier for you to manage anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
Stimulants can also have unintended side effects, for instance, they can sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. Your child or you could also have difficulty getting enough sleep. They can also cause a decrease in appetite, which could hinder in eating enough to sustain healthy growth. Some people also experience tics which are sudden movements or sound like eye blinks and throat clearing. Although these side effects are common they can be controlled or eliminated using some simple strategies.
It's important to remember that each person responds differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It might take some trial and error with various dosages, medications and schedules to find a combination that works for you or your child.
Your doctor will take into consideration your individual issues and lifestyle when creating a treatment plan. They may suggest treatments to ease anxiety and monitor your response with medications to determine the most effective treatment options for you.
Treatments for anxiety can interact with other ADHD medications. For example, Adderall can make anxiety more severe in children with the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants could alter the way that the brain processes information about potential threats from the external and internal environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety cannot be treated together. It's possible that treating ADHD symptoms can also help reduce anxiety. This is because they could reduce the number and intensity of anxiety-inducing situations children with ADHD have to deal with.
In general, psychostimulants appear to be effective in improving both ADHD and anxiety in several studies. adhd medication pregnancy are generally more effective in treating both disorders than traditional antianxiety medication. It's possible that the improvement of anxiety associated with psychostimulants is due to the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not the drug itself.