20 Tools That Will Make You More Effective At Medication For ADHD
Medications For ADHD and Anxiety
The same drugs that treat ADHD can also be used to treat anxiety. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain. adhd without medication as atomoxetine and antidepressants can also aid.
In certain instances, stimulant medication can exacerbate anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, then your doctor may prescribe a different medication or switch to another.
Stimulants
Stimulants are usually the drug of choice for people suffering from ADHD who also have anxiety. These medications are believed to aid both ADHD and anxiety because they boost the brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which promotes concentration and reduces impulsivity. It also aids in motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs such as amphetamines or methylphenidate block the reuptake of norepinephrine, keeping dopamine and norepinephrine at higher levels in your brain. This improves focus and reduces impulse-driven behavior and makes it easier for you to manage anger and other feelings which can make anxiety worse.
Stimulants can also have unintended effects which is that they sometimes cause anxiety-related symptoms to increase. They can also trigger sleep problems, meaning that you or your child might be having trouble getting enough sleep. In addition, they could decrease appetite, which could interfere with eating enough for healthy growth. Many people also experience tics which are sudden sounds or movements such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These side effects, while normal, can be controlled or eliminated using a few simple techniques.
It is important to keep in mind that every person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It might take some trial and error with different medications, dosages and schedules to find the right combination that works for you or your child.
Your healthcare provider will consider your specific conditions and lifestyle when determining an appropriate treatment plan. adhd medication list will likely recommend a treatment to reduce anxiety and will monitor your response with medications to determine the most effective solutions for you.
Medications used to treat anxiety may interact with some ADHD medications. Adderall for instance, can exacerbate anxiety in children with both ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants may alter the way that the brain process information about possible threats in the external and internal environment, and it's possible that they may interfere with this normal process.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety cannot be treated in tandem. It's also possible that improving ADHD symptoms can help reduce anxiety, too, as they might reduce the number of anxiety-inducing situations and conflicts that children with untreated ADHD have to deal with.
Psychostimulants are generally found to be effective in reducing both ADHD and anxiety in a number of studies. They are generally more effective in treating both disorders than traditional antianxiety medications. It's possible that the decrease of anxiety using psychostimulants was due to the improvement in ADHD symptoms, not the medication itself.