How to Choose the Best ADHD Medication for Adults With Anxiety and Depression

When a person has both ADHD and anxiety or depression, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health professionals often prescribe antidepressants or a stimulant for depression in addition to an ADHD medication.

Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are two of the most popular antidepressants prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications increase the levels of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, and improve concentration.

1. Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin is the most popular medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It's part of a group called central nervous stimulants. It is a medication that alters the amount of certain natural substances inside your brain. It is available as a tablet, liquid, chewable tablets or extended-release capsules. It can also be administered via the skin.

It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is essential to tell your doctor if you have anxiety or depression because certain medications, particularly stimulants can cause them to worsen. In certain instances it is possible to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.

Methylphenidate may cause headaches and stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments with your physician to monitor these. It can also cause facial ticks (uncontrollable, rapid movements of the face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic disorder) who are unable to process the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It can be dangerous to take during pregnancy or nursing. It is important to inform your doctor if you plan to get pregnant.

When taking methylphenidate, you should not drive a vehicle or operate machinery. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking this medication. Ask your doctor if you have trouble swallowing tablets. You should not crush or chew these medicines therefore, if you experience trouble eating solid food consult your physician about liquid medicines that can be mixed with soft foods or drinks such as yogurt, applesauce, or pudding.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine is a medicine that belongs to the central nervous system stimulant family. It works by changing the levels of certain natural substances in the brain. It is used to treat of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged six years and over. It can also be used to treat binge-eating disorder in adults.

Adults suffering from ADHD typically suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. It is crucial to treat these conditions to help them feel better and perform at their best, both at work and at home. Certain medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions may interact with ADHD medication, which is why it is crucial to be honest about any other medical issues that you may have.

Depression and anxiety are both complicated disorders, because they are characterized by various symptoms. Antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are often prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also improve focus and concentration for those with ADHD or ADHD. They typically work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters that are present in the brain. They have a low potential for misuse and abuse.


The medication showed promising results in studies that involved people suffering from ADHD and depression, as well as anxiety. It decreased the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it improved ADHD ratings and executive function tests. It was also safe to use.

Inform your doctor if other medications are being taken, such as MAO inhibitors, like isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil), phenelzine, selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medications should not be taken within 14 days of lisdexamfetamine. You should also let your doctor know if you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any other ingredient in the medication.

3. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By boosting medication for adults with add of this chemical in the brain, the drug increases alertness and reduces anxiety as well as depression symptoms. It is important to note, however, that this medication should not be used as a stand-alone treatment for anxiety disorders. It is recommended that the person seeks help from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.

There have been a myriad of studies that have been conducted to examine the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include 9 randomized controlled trials and 2 post-hoc subgroup analysis. In most cases the results showed that atomoxetine was superior to placebo on both measures of improvement in symptoms and cognitive function. However it is important to note that the size of the study was limited.

This medication can cause a few side effects, such as abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These side effects are usually minimal and are not observed in everyone who takes the medication. Some people who take Atomoxetine have had thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies of adolescents and children who took the drug. However, suicides did not occur in these trials.

Like stimulants, atomoxetine is effective in treating comorbid anxiety/ADHD. In a recent research study, the atomoxetine medication was more effective than placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug could be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when combined with other treatments. It will take further study to determine if atomoxetine can be also effective for other types of comorbid anxiety disorders.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that increases a chemical in the brain called noradrenaline. This chemical is responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. The increase in it can aid in focusing and controlling impulses. The drug is typically prescribed in capsule form and is taken once or twice daily by your doctor. There are also some serious side effects such as suicidal thoughts or liver damage.

Anxiety is a condition that causes persistent, intense fear and anxiety. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches as well as breathlessness and emotions like anxiety or dread. People with anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite attempts to reduce them.

Certain people with ADHD also develop anxiety. The condition can cause problems with emotions and relationships, and a loss of self-esteem. Untreated ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness and impulsiveness, can lead to feelings of frustration and failure.

Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate can help reduce anxiety symptoms, and so can nonstimulant drugs such as Atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree). High blood pressure medications like clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, but these medications work differently than stimulants.

Although antidepressants aren't endorsed by the FDA to treat ADHD Your doctor could prescribe them as a single drug or with a stimulant, though they're not typically prescribed for teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is a second treatment option. Consulting with medications for adhd -health professional can be beneficial in treating both anxiety and ADHD. Making changes to your routine and habits can help you manage these issues. You could, for instance, try meditating or doing yoga, managing your insomnia and stress levels, and including exercises into your daily routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

In some cases an expert in mental health may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment program. These medications aren't FDA approved to treat ADHD but can improve depression and anxiety symptoms if used in conjunction together with stimulants. Antidepressants increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within your brain, which can help improve depressive symptoms as well as anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -boost your levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which can boost your mood and reduce anxiety. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors -- such as mirtazapine (Remeron) and nefazodone (Serzone) -- also lift your mood by increasing the amount of norepinephrine and serotonin that your brain's chemical messengers release. Tricyclic antidepressants were originally developed as antipsychotics, but later discovered to have powerful antidepressant effects. These drugs include amitriptyline imipramine and nortriptyline.

Tricyclics also decrease the sensitivity of people to noise, increase sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. Patients who are taking them should not operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are sure of how they will react to the medication.

Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, such as exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet that is rich in whole fruits, grains and vegetables. Mindfulness and other forms therapy like cognitive behavior therapy, can also help to reduce stress. Klarity can assist you in finding licensed providers who offer convenient online mental health care that is affordable and easy to access. Learn more about our services and book an appointment today.