This Is The Advanced Guide To Medication For ADHD
adult adhd medication uk For ADHD and Anxiety
The medications that treat ADHD generally work well for anxiety, too. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Antidepressants and nonstimulants like atomoxetine may also help.
In some instances, stimulant medications can worsen anxiety symptoms. If this is the case your doctor may prescribe another medication or switch to a different one altogether.
Stimulants
Stimulants are typically the treatment of choice for people with ADHD who also suffer from anxiety. They are believed to aid both ADHD and anxiety as they boost the brain's production of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that improves concentration and decreases impulsivity. It also aids in motivation and memory.
Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate or amphetamines are effective in preventing the reuptake process of norepinephrine and dopamine, which helps keep them at higher levels in the brain. This improves concentration and decreases impulse-driven behavior which makes it easier to manage anger and other emotions that can cause anxiety.
However, stimulants can have unexpected side effects: they sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. They can also trigger sleep issues, which means you or your child might be having trouble getting enough sleep. They can also cause a decrease in appetite, which could hinder in eating enough to sustain healthy growth. Certain people experience tics too that are sudden sounds or movements, such as blinking eyes and clearing of the throat. These effects, though frequent, can be lowered or eliminated with certain techniques.
It's important to remember that every person reacts differently to stimulants or non-stimulant ADHD medication. It might require some trial and error with different dosages, medications and schedules to find the right combination that is effective for you or your child.
Your healthcare provider will consider your individual issues and lifestyle when creating an appropriate treatment plan. adhd medication adults uk 'll likely recommend a therapy to manage anxiety and observe your response to medication to determine which treatment options are best for you.
Certain ADHD medications may 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 about potential threats from the external and internal environment.
This does not mean that ADHD and anxiety cannot be treated together. It's also possible that reducing ADHD symptoms can reduce anxiety, too, as they could reduce the number of anxiety-inducing situations and conflicts that children with untreated ADHD have to deal with.
In general, psychostimulants appear to be effective in improving both ADHD and anxiety in a number of studies. They tend to be more effective in treating both disorders than traditional antianxiety medications. It's possible that the reduction of anxiety using psychostimulants was an outcome of the improvement in ADHD symptoms, rather than the substance itself.
