What is the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety?
Around 80 percent of ADHD sufferers also have anxiety disorders. Due to this, medical professionals typically recommend a combination of medication and psychotherapy in treating anxiety and ADHD.
Stimulants
Stimulant medication like Zyban/Wellbutrin (bupropion), Qelbree (viloxazine) and Effexor (venlafaxine) can help with anxiety symptoms by boosting levels of serotonin in the brain.
Stimulants
Stimulants are often used to treat adult ADHD. They aid in improving focus, concentration and impulse control. They also aid in improving the ability of a person to learn and retain information. Additionally, they boost a person's energy levels and ensure that he or she can participate in daily activities more easily. The stimulants boost the amount of certain brain chemicals, such as norepinephrine and dopamine.
Multiple randomized controlled studies for adolescents and adults have shown that stimulant medications are extremely efficient. adhd without medication show a high percentage of improvement in 65%-85 percent of people, and they help reduce symptoms such as inattention deficit, distractibility, impulsive behavior, restlessness, hyperactivity, and more (Pliszka 2006). In one study, controlled release methylphenidate increased spatial working memory as well as set shifting and other cognitive functions of the prefrontal cortex in people with ADHD. It also reduced errors in a driving simulator for adults with ADHD (Jain, et al. 2007).
Non-stimulant drugs are also used to treat ADHD and anxiety. They are just as efficient and don't have as many negative side effects as stimulant drugs. Atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine ER (Kapvay) and guanfacine in ER (Intuniv) are able to regulate hormones that trigger anxiety and stress. They are useful in managing ADHD and anxiety symptoms, especially when depression or another mood disorder is present.
Behavioral therapy is also suggested to assist people suffering from ADHD and anxiety. It can help improve your organization skills and teach you coping strategies and correct thinking mistakes that can result in negative emotions. It can also help you discover ways to relax and feel more relaxed.
It is important to recognize that the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety disorders are very common. Research has proven that adults with ADHD are more at risk of comorbidity, including dependence, substance abuse and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety and personality disorders such as borderline and antisocial personality disorder (Sobanski, 2006). Therefore, it is important to address comorbidity in conjunction with treatment for your ADHD.
You may decide to start with a stimulant to manage your ADHD symptoms and anxiety. However, it is crucial to conduct a careful titration and accurate registration of your reaction to the medication and any adverse effects so that the best dose can be determined for you. This will help you gain the maximum benefit from your medication, and minimize the risk of developing. In the meantime, you can try to incorporate other strategies for treatment into your routine. For example exercising has been proven to help alleviate symptoms of ADHD and anxiety in a few people. Regular exercise can increase your overall well-being and energy levels. A healthy diet and sufficient sleep can help improve the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety. Metacognitive therapy is an excellent option if you suffer from both ADHD and anxiety. It will teach you to manage your time and improve executive functioning.