Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The same drugs that treat ADHD can also be used to treat anxiety. The stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost the levels of certain brain neurotransmitters. Antidepressants and nonstimulants such as atomoxetine may also help.
In certain instances, stimulant medication can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor might prescribe a different medication or switch to another.
Stimulants
Stimulants are often the medication of choice for people with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety. non stimulant adhd medication are believed to help with both ADHD and anxiety by increasing the brain's natural production of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps in concentration, decreases impulsivity and helps with motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs like amphetamines and methylphenidate block reuptake of norepinephrine, keeping dopamine and norepinephrine at higher levels in your brain. This improves concentration and decreases impulsive behaviors which makes it easier to control anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
However, stimulants can cause an unexpected side effects that can trigger anxiety symptoms. Your child or you could also be struggling to get enough sleep. They can also cause a decrease in appetite, which can interfere in eating enough to sustain healthy growth. Certain people experience the tics that are sudden sounds or movements like blinking eyes and clearing of the throat. Although these side effects are common they can be mitigated or eliminated using a few simple techniques.
It is important to remember that every person reacts differently to stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It could take a bit of trial and error to find the appropriate combination of medication, dosages, and schedules for you or your children.
When developing an appropriate treatment plan, your physician will take into account your individual symptoms and lifestyle. They'll likely suggest a therapy to address anxiety and monitor your response to medications to determine which options are the best for you.
Some ADHD medications may interact with medications used to treat anxiety. Adderall for instance can increase anxiety in children who suffer from both ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants can alter the way the brain processes information regarding possible threats from both the external and internal environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety can't be treated in tandem. It's also possible that reducing ADHD symptoms could decrease anxiety as they may reduce the amount of anxiety-provoking situations and conflicts that children who are not treated for ADHD have to deal with.
In general, psychostimulants appear to be effective for improving both ADHD and anxiety in a variety of studies. They're usually more efficient than traditional antianxiety drugs for both disorders. It's possible that the reduction in anxiety that psychostimulants provide is the direct result of the improvement of ADHD symptoms, not an actual interaction with the drug.