Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The same medications that treat ADHD can be used to treat anxiety. Stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine can boost the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine and antidepressants can also aid.
In some instances, stimulant medications can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor might prescribe an alternative medication or switch to another.
Stimulants
People suffering from ADHD and anxiety are frequently prescribed stimulants. They 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 supports memory and motivation.
Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or amphetamines block the reuptake norepinephrine, which keeps dopamine and norepinephrine at higher levels in your brain. This improves concentration and decreases impulse-driven behavior which makes it easier to manage anger and other feelings that can make anxiety worse.
However, medication for adhd and anxiety can cause an an unexpected side effect as they can cause an increase in anxiety symptoms. Your child or you could also have difficulty getting enough sleep. Additionally, how to get adhd medication uk may cause a decrease in appetite, which can hinder eating enough to support healthy growth. Some people suffer from the tics as tics, which are loud sound or movement, such as the blinking of eyes and clearing of the throat. These effects, though normal, can be controlled or eliminated by some simple methods.
It is important to keep in mind that every person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It might take a bit of trial and error to find the right combination of medications dosages, schedules, and dosages for your child or yourself.
When creating the treatment plan, your physician will take into account your individual symptoms and life style. They'll likely recommend a treatment to reduce anxiety and track your response to medications to determine which treatment options are best for you.
Treatments for anxiety can interact with other ADHD medications. For instance, Adderall can make anxiety worse for children who have comorbid ADHD and anxiety. This is because psychostimulants affect how the brain processes information regarding possible threats in the external and internal environment, and it's possible that they could hinder this normal process.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety cannot be treated in conjunction. It's also possible that improving ADHD symptoms can reduce anxiety, too, since they might reduce the number of anxiety-inducing situations and conflicts that children who are not treated for ADHD have to deal with.
Psychostimulants have proven to be effective in treating both ADHD and anxiety, based on several studies. They're generally more effective than traditional antianxiety medications for both disorders. It's possible that the improvement of anxiety associated with psychostimulants is due to the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not the medication itself.