Why We Love Medication For ADHD (And You Should Too!)
adhd and medication For ADHD and Anxiety
The medications that treat ADHD generally work well for anxiety, too. The stimulants like 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 worsen anxiety symptoms. If this is the case, your doctor might prescribe another medication or switch to another.
Stimulants
People suffering from ADHD and anxiety are often prescribed stimulants. These medications are thought to help with both ADHD and anxiety by enhancing the brain's natural production of dopamine. which is a neurotransmitter that helps in concentration, decreases impulsivity and supports memory and motivation.
The stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and amphetamines are effective in preventing the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine, which keeps them at higher levels in the brain. This improves focus and decreases impulsive behavior, making it easier to control anger and other emotions that could cause anxiety to become worse.
They can also cause an unintended side effect, which is that they sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. They can also cause sleep issues, which means you or your child might struggle to get enough restful sleep. They can also cause a decrease in appetite, which could hinder in eating enough food to ensure healthy growth. Certain sufferers also experience tics, which are sudden movements or sounds, such as eye blinks and throat clearing. Although these symptoms are common they can be mitigated or eliminated by a few simple strategies.
It is important to keep in mind that each person reacts differently to stimulants and non-stimulant ADHD medications. It might take a bit of trial and error to determine the right combination of medications, dosages, and schedules for you or your children.
When developing the treatment plan, your healthcare provider will take into account your specific symptoms and your lifestyle. They'll likely suggest a therapy to manage anxiety and observe your response to medications to determine which options are most suitable for you.
Certain ADHD medications can interact with medications used to treat anxiety. For example, Adderall can make anxiety worse for children who have comorbid ADHD and anxiety. Psychostimulants can alter the way the brain processes information regarding possible threats from the internal and external environment.
However, this doesn't mean that ADHD and anxiety aren't treated in tandem. It's also possible that treating ADHD symptoms could decrease anxiety, too, as they may reduce the amount of stressful situations and conflicts that children with untreated ADHD confront.
Psychostimulants are generally found to be effective in reducing both ADHD and anxiety in a variety of studies. They are usually more effective in treating both disorders than traditional antianxiety medication. It's possible that the decrease in anxiety that psychostimulants provide is a direct result of improving ADHD symptoms, and not a direct interaction with the drug.