{"id":1443,"date":"2022-04-21T02:13:30","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T02:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/?p=1443"},"modified":"2023-10-20T10:38:18","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T17:38:18","slug":"best-adhd-medication-adult-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/post\/best-adhd-medication-adult-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Best ADHD Medication for Adults with Anxiety?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is estimated that 50% of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also suffer from an anxiety disorder.<\/a> While there is a significant overlap between the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety, these two conditions are distinct and may require different treatment approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety<\/strong>, you must know that both conditions can work together to make coping more difficult. Having ADHD and being unable to complete tasks or conduct successful relationships can heighten your anxiety, and having anxiety can make your ADHD symptoms even harder to control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019ll talk about several treatment options for people with comorbid anxiety and ADHD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Living with anxiety and ADHD is already hard enough. Finding a trusted healthcare provider and a treatment plan that covers your ADHD and anxiety disorder shouldn\u2019t add to your stress<\/strong>. Klarity makes online ADHD treatment<\/a> and online anxiety treatment<\/a> easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take our<\/em> <\/em>free, 2-minute evaluation,<\/em><\/a> <\/em>and we\u2019ll connect you with an anxiety and ADHD-trained medical provider who can diagnose and prescribe treatment online in <\/em>48 hours or less<\/em><\/strong>. No more waiting weeks to be seen and weeks longer for follow-ups.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Treat ADHD and Anxiety Symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Certain ADHD drugs can help treat comorbid anxiety, while others, such as stimulants, may exacerbate anxiety symptoms. The good news is there are several ADHD medications and therapies available to treat ADHD that will also work to alleviate your anxiety symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-Stimulant ADHD Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ADHD medications fall into two general classes: stimulants and non-stimulants.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulants, first-line medications for treating adult ADHD, are fast acting and highly effective. They work by increasing your brain\u2019s production of dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitters, which are involved in mediating motivation, action, and cognition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-stimulants, which are also effective in treating ADHD symptoms, have a slower rate of onset and work by keeping already activated receptors in your brain \u201cturned on\u201d or \u201cfired up\u201d for longer. While both classes of ADHD drugs are safe and effective, stimulants can increase anxiety symptoms, making non-stimulants a better option for adult ADHD patients with anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Klarity, you can work with your medical provider to find the best treatment option for your particular mental health condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Strattera Do?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication similar in structure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used to treat depression and anxiety. Technically, it is an SNRI or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Strattera takes 1-4 weeks to take effect and is approved for use in children (6 years old and up), teens, and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Intuniv? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Intuniv is the extended-release formulation of a long-used blood pressure medication called guanfacine. Intuniv was approved as a non-stimulant ADHD medication in 2009 and is thought to work on brain receptors to improve memory, decrease distractibility and improve attention span. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Kapvay?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Similarly to Intuniv, Kapvay is the extended-release form of medication\u2014in this case, Clonidine<\/a>\u2014used for high blood pressure. Approved for treating ADHD in children and adults, Kapvay works on receptors in the central nervous system and is known as a centrally-acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Qelbree Used For? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Qelbree is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for treating depression and anxiety and has also been shown to be effective in treating ADHD. Currently, Qelbree is approved for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents between the ages of 6-17 and may soon be approved for the treatment of adult ADHD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Use CBT for ADHD and Anxiety<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), sometimes referred to as \u201ctalk therapy,\u201d is a highly effective treatment, usually when used in conjunction with medication, for both ADHD<\/a> and anxiety<\/a>. CBT treatment focuses on finding practical, real-world solutions to the triggers and symptoms of ADHD and anxiety that a person is experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is CBT?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

CBT is based on the understanding that thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors are all connected. When a person makes a positive change to any of these areas, they will experience positive changes in the other two. A licensed counselor can provide CBT in either group or individual sessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is CBT\u2019s Impact on ADHD and Anxiety?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Studies have found that CBT can reduce ADHD symptoms and ease feelings of anxiety.  Specifically, CBT improves executive functioning by reducing impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. When combined with ADHD medications, CBT was also found to be more effective in reducing anxiety symptoms than medication alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klairity doesn\u2019t offer psychotherapy treatments. However, your provider may suggest psychotherapy alongside prescription medications as a useful treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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