Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
Medications that treat ADHD often work well for anxiety too. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine and antidepressants could also be helpful.
In certain instances stimulant medications may cause an increase in anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, then your doctor may prescribe an alternative medication or switch to another.
Stimulants
People suffering from ADHD and anxiety are frequently prescribed stimulants. These medications are believed to aid both ADHD and anxiety as they increase the brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which promotes concentration and decreases the impulsivity. It also aids in motivation and memory.
The stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines block the reuptake process of norepinephrine and dopamine, which keeps their levels higher in the brain. This improves focus and reduces impulsive behaviors and makes it easier for you to control anger and other feelings that can cause anxiety.
Stimulants can also have unintended side effects, which is that they can sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. They can also trigger sleep problems, so you or your child could have trouble getting enough restful sleep. They can also reduce appetite, which could hinder in eating enough to maintain healthy growth. Many people also experience tics which are sudden movements or sounds like eye blinks and throat clearing. Although these symptoms are common they can be controlled or eliminated using a few simple strategies.
It's important to remember that every person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It may take a little trial and error to determine the appropriate combination of medication, dosages, and schedules for you or your children.
When determining the treatment plan, your physician will consider your individual symptoms and life style. They'll likely recommend a treatment to address anxiety and monitor your response to medication to determine which options are the best for you.
Medications used to treat anxiety can interact with certain ADHD medications. For instance, Adderall can make anxiety worse for children who have comorbid ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants can alter the way the brain processes information about potential threats from the internal and external environment.
However, add adhd medications doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety can't be treated together. just click the next web page 's also possible that treating ADHD symptoms could decrease anxiety, too, since they might reduce the number of stressful 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 are usually more effective for both disorders than conventional antianxiety medication. It's possible that the reduction in anxiety that psychostimulants provide is the direct result of the improvement in ADHD symptoms, rather than a direct interaction with the drug.