Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The same medications used to treat ADHD can be used to treat anxiety. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine or antidepressants can also aid.
In some instances, stimulant medications can cause anxiety to worsen. If this is the case your doctor could prescribe a different medication or even switch your medications completely.
Stimulants
People suffering from ADHD and anxiety are typically prescribed stimulants. They are believed to aid both ADHD and anxiety since they increase the brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which promotes concentration and reduces impulsivity. adhd medications supports memory and motivation.
Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or amphetamines block the reuptake norepinephrine, which keeps dopamine and norepinephrine at high levels in your brain. This improves concentration and decreases the tendency to be impulsive which makes it easier to manage anger and other emotions that could cause anxiety.
However, stimulants can also have an unexpected side effects: they sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. They can also cause sleep problems, so you or your child might have trouble getting enough restful sleep. They can also decrease appetite, which can hinder in eating enough food to ensure healthy growth. Some people experience tics too that are sudden movements or sounds like the blinking of eyes and clearing of the throat. Although these symptoms are common they can be controlled or eliminated using a few simple strategies.
It's important to remember that each person responds differently stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It may take a little trial and error to find the appropriate combination of medication, dosages, and schedules for your children or yourself.
When developing an appropriate treatment plan, your healthcare provider will consider your individual symptoms and your lifestyle. They will likely recommend a treatment to reduce anxiety and track your reaction to medications to determine the most effective treatment options for you.
Treatments for anxiety can interact with other ADHD medications. Adderall, for example can increase anxiety in children who have both ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants may affect the way the brain processes information about potential threats from both the external and internal environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety can't be treated together. It's also possible that treating ADHD symptoms can reduce anxiety as they might reduce the number of anxiety-provoking situations and conflicts that children suffering from untreated ADHD have to deal with.
Psychostimulants are generally effective in treating both ADHD and anxiety, based on a number studies. They're generally more effective than traditional antianxiety medication for both disorders. It's possible that the reduction of anxiety with psychostimulants was an outcome of the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not the drug itself.