Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The same medications used to treat ADHD can also be used to treat anxiety. Drugs like amphetamine or methylphenidate increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine or antidepressants could also be helpful.
In some instances, stimulant medications can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If that's the case, your doctor might prescribe a different medication or switch to a different one altogether.
Stimulants
People suffering from ADHD and anxiety are often prescribed stimulants. They are believed to help with both ADHD and anxiety as they increase brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that improves concentration and decreases the impulsivity. It also supports memory and motivation.
Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate or amphetamines block the reuptake of norepinephrine, keeping dopamine and norepinephrine at higher levels in your brain. This improves concentration and reduces the tendency to be impulsive and makes it easier to manage anger and other feelings that can cause anxiety.
However, stimulants can have unexpected side effects that can trigger anxiety symptoms. Your child or you could also have difficulty getting enough sleep. In addition, they can cause a decrease in appetite, which can hinder eating enough to support healthy growth. Some people experience tics as well as tics, which are loud sounds or movements like blinking eyes and clearing of the throat. These effects, though frequent, can be lowered or eliminated with some simple methods.
It's important to remember that each person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. adhd medication pregnancy could take a bit of trial and error to discover the right combination of medications, dosages, and schedules for your children or yourself.
When determining a treatment plan, your healthcare provider will consider your individual symptoms and life style. They will likely recommend a treatment to reduce anxiety and monitor your reaction to medication to determine the best options for you.
Certain ADHD medications may interact with medications for treating anxiety. Adderall, for example can increase anxiety in children who have both ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants may affect the way the brain processes information regarding potential threats from the internal and external environment.
However this doesn't mean ADHD and anxiety can't be treated together. It's possible that treating ADHD symptoms can help to reduce anxiety. This is because they can reduce the number and intensity of anxiety-inducing situations that children with ADHD face.
Psychostimulants are generally found to be effective in reducing both ADHD and anxiety in a number of studies. They are usually more effective for both disorders than traditional antianxiety medication. It's possible that the reduction in anxiety seen with psychostimulants is the direct result of the improvement in ADHD symptoms, rather than an interaction directly with the drug.