Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
Medications that treat ADHD often work well for anxiety too. The stimulants methylphenidate and amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. Nonstimulants like atomoxetine or antidepressants could also be helpful.
In some cases, stimulant medications can worsen anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend another medication or switch medications.
Stimulants
People with ADHD and anxiety are frequently prescribed stimulants. They are believed to aid both ADHD and anxiety since they increase the brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that improves concentration and decreases the impulsivity. how to get adhd medication uk supports motivation and memory.
The stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines work by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine as well as dopamine, thereby keeping their levels higher in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces impulse-driven behavior, making it easier for you to control anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
The stimulants can also cause unintended side effects for instance, they can sometimes cause anxiety-related symptoms to increase. You or your child could also have difficulty getting enough sleep. In addition, they can cause a decrease in appetite, which can interfere with eating enough for healthy growth. Certain people also experience tics, which are sudden movements or sound such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These side effects, although common, can be reduced or eliminated with certain techniques.
It's important to keep in mind that every person reacts differently to stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It may take some trial and error with different dosages, schedules and medications to find the right combination that works for you or your child.
Your doctor will take into consideration your particular conditions and lifestyle when determining the treatment plan. They may recommend a treatment to reduce anxiety and will monitor your response with medication to determine the best treatment options for you.
Some ADHD medications may interact with medications used to treat anxiety. For instance, Adderall can make anxiety worse for children who have the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. This is because psychostimulants can alter the way that the brain process information about possible threats within the external and internal environments It is possible that they can affect the normal process of processing.
This doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety can't be treated in tandem. It's also possible that treating ADHD symptoms can reduce anxiety, too, as they may reduce the amount of anxiety-inducing situations and conflicts that children suffering from untreated ADHD face.
In general, psychostimulants appear to be effective in reducing both ADHD and anxiety in a number of studies. They're usually more effective than traditional antianxiety medications for both disorders. It's possible that the decrease of anxiety associated with psychostimulants is due to the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not the medication itself.