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

If someone has ADHD and depression or anxiety, treating one condition often improves the other. Mental health experts prescribe antidepressants and stimulants for depression or antidepressants along with ADHD medication.

Wellbutrin (bupropion), and Effexor, (venlafaxine), are the two most common antidepressants that are prescribed for ADHD "off-label". These medications boost levels of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. They also aid in improving concentration.

1. Methylphenidate

Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin, is the first-choice medication to treat adults with ADHD and depression as well as anxiety. It's part of a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants. It is used to alter the levels of certain natural substances in your brain. It is available in the form of tablets that can be chewed, liquid, or an extended-release capsule. It can also be given through the skin.

It is not unusual for people with ADHD to have co-occurring mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety. It is crucial to inform your doctor if you suffer from depression or anxiety because certain medications, particularly stimulants, can cause them to worsen. In adhd and depression medication is possible to take both stimulants and anti-anxiety medication.

Methylphenidate can cause headaches as well as stomachaches. It may also raise blood pressure and heart rate and therefore, you should schedule regular appointments with your physician to check these. It can also cause facial tics (quick uncontrollable movements of your face). People suffering from phenylketonuria (a genetic condition) who are unable to process the chemical phenylalanine shouldn't take it. It is also unsafe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so you should inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You must not operate or drive machinery while taking methylphenidate. It may cause dizziness and blurred vision. It is vital to drink plenty of fluids when you take it. If you are having difficulty swallowing tablets, consult your physician about extended-release capsules, or orally disintegrating tablets. Do not crush or chew these medicines. If you are having difficulty eating solid foods, consult your physician about liquid medicines that can be added to soft food or drinks like applesauce, yogurt, or pudding.

2. Lisdexamfetamine

Lisdexamfetamine is a medication in the central nervous system stimulant family. It affects the amount of certain natural substances inside the brain. It is used to treat ADHD in children and adults who are 6 years of age and up. It can also be used to treat binge eating disorder in adults.

Adults suffering from ADHD are often afflicted by anxiety and depression disorders. Treatment for these disorders is important to make people feel better and do their best at work and at home. Certain medications used to treat mental conditions may interact negatively with ADHD medication. It is essential to be honest about any other medical concerns.

Depression and anxiety are both complex conditions, as they involve a variety of symptoms. Antidepressants like Wellbutrin, Effexor, or Venlafaxine are frequently prescribed to treat these conditions. They can also improve concentration and focus for people who suffer from ADHD or ADHD. They usually work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and are not likely to cause misuse and abuse.

In studies of LDX in adults with ADHD and depression, the medication showed promising results. It improved ADHD ratings, and executive function and ADHD ratings. It was also safe to use.

Tell your doctor about any other medications are being taken, such as MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid and linezolid, Methylene blue (Nardil) and phenelzine. selegiline, Emsam (Zelapar), or tranylcypromine. These medicines are not recommended to be taken within 14 days of taking lisdexamfetamine. Tell your doctor that you are allergic to lisdexamfetamine or any of the other ingredients in this medication.

3. Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine, also referred to as Strattera, is a nonstimulant ADHD medication used to treat depression. It is believed to work by preventing reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. By increasing the levels of this chemical in the brain, the drug improves alertness and reduces anxiety and depression symptoms. This medication is not recommended to be used alone to treat anxiety disorders. Instead, it is recommended that patients receives treatment from a qualified psychiatrist or therapist.

There have been a variety of studies conducted to evaluate the effects of atomoxetine in patients suffering from ADHD and anxiety disorders. These studies include nine controlled trials that were randomized as well as two post-hoc subgroup analyses. In most cases, both improvement in symptom and cognition function were better measured using atomoxetine compared to placebo. It is important to note that the sample size of these studies was small.

The medication can also cause a few side effects, including abdominal pain and a fast heart rate. These effects are usually minimal and are not observed in all people who take the medication. In some instances, patients who take atomoxetine experience thoughts of suicide. These thoughts were observed during short-term clinical studies with adolescents and children who took the medication. However, suicides didn't occur in these trials.


Like stimulants, atomoxetine may be effective in treating the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety. In a recent study atomoxetine proved to be more effective than placebo when treating adults suffering from social anxiety disorder and ADHD. This is an encouraging result which suggests that this drug may be effective in treating ADHD and anxiety when used with other treatments. Further research is needed to determine if the atomoxetine medication can be used effectively for other forms of anxiety disorders that are comorbid.

4. Bupropion

Bupropion is a non-stimulant drug that boosts a chemical in the brain known as 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 at least twice a day by your doctor. It's also associated with some more serious side effects, such as suicidal thoughts and liver damage.

Anxiety is a disorder that can cause intense fear and restlessness. It can cause symptoms such as stomachaches, headaches, breathlessness, and feelings of anxiety or dread. People suffering from anxiety disorders often struggle to control their symptoms, despite efforts to manage their symptoms.

People suffering from ADHD can develop anxiety, as well. The condition can cause problems with relationships and emotions and also a loss of self-esteem. Signs of untreated ADHD include forgetfulness, difficulty paying attention, and impulsive behavior -can also cause feelings of anger or disappointment.

Nonstimulants such as atomoxetine, Qelbree and Lisdexamfetamine (methylphenidate) can also help to ease anxiety symptoms. High blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) may also be prescribed for ADHD in adults, but these drugs work differently than stimulants.

Antidepressants may be prescribed by your doctor to treat ADHD. They can be prescribed alone or together with stimulants. However they are rarely prescribed to teenagers and children. Psychotherapy is another treatment option. This involves talking with a mental health professional and can be effective in treating anxiety and ADHD together. Lifestyle and routine changes can be beneficial in managing these disorders. For instance, you could try meditating or practicing yoga, regulating stress and sleep patterns and including exercises into your daily routine.

5. Tricyclic antidepressants

In some instances the mental health professional may suggest antidepressants as part of your treatment program. They're not approved by the FDA to treat ADHD but they may occasionally improve symptoms of anxiety and depression when taken in conjunction with stimulants. Antidepressants increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine production in the brain. They therefore can help to improve anxiety as well as depressive symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitorslike fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro) -- increase your levels of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, to boost your mood and reduce your 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 are named for the three rings in their chemical structure, were initially designed as antipsychotics, and later found to have powerful antidepressant properties. These medications include imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Tricyclics can also reduce the sensitivity of people to noise, enhance sleep and lower blood pressure. Tricyclics can cause an increase in drowsiness. People taking them shouldn't operate or drive on dangerous equipment until they are sure of what reaction they'll have to the medication.

Many lifestyle changes can help improve your ADHD and anxiety symptoms, including exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness practices and other forms of therapy like cognitive behavior therapy can reduce stress and boost happiness. Klarity can assist you in finding certified providers who can provide online mental health services that is affordable and easy to access. Find out more about it and schedule an appointment today.