If you have both ADHD and anxiety, you may want to know if Adderall helps with anxiety.
In some cases, it can even make it worse.
Anxiety may also cause other symptoms, such as restlessness, tiredness, and trouble concentrating.
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ADHD medications, such as Adderall, may help with certain anxiety symptoms, including restlessness and decreased focus.
However, Adderall doesn’t treat anxiety.
So, you may still have other symptoms of anxiety even after taking Adderall.
How Adderall Works
Adderall is a stimulant medication.
This means that it works by activating yourcentral nervous system (CNS).
The CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord.
Adderall and other stimulant drugs increase the amount of the chemicalsnorepinephrineanddopaminein your brain.
Higher norepinephrine levels in your brain help reduce impulsive behavior and improve focus.
Dopamine helps with memory, movement control, and motivation to complete tasks.
However, Adderall may also worsen anxiety.
Which ADHD Medication Is Best for Anxiety?
If Adderall Does Not Help Anxiety, Can It Make It Worse?
It is possible that Adderall may make anxiety worse.
This is because stimulant medications, such as Adderall, may have side effects that resemble symptoms of anxiety.
These include:
If you already have these symptoms, taking Adderall may worsen them.
Adderall is a stimulant that may cause physical dependence if taken long term.
With physical dependence, your body needs to have a certain medication or substance to function as usual.
Stopping Adderall suddenly after you’ve been taking the medication for a while may cause withdrawal symptoms.
These can include:
Due to this risk, you shouldn’t stop taking Adderall suddenly.
Doing so can reduce your risk of having withdrawal symptoms after stopping Adderall.
ADHD and Depression
As with anxiety,depression has also been associated with ADHD.
Studies have shown that adults with ADHD are more likely to have depression compared with those without ADHD.
Teens with ADHD are also more likely to have depression than teens without ADHD.
Additionally, the risk for developing depression is about 6 times higher during the first year of ADHD diagnosis.
Healthcare providers sometimes refer to this jot down of depression astreatment-resistantor difficult-to-treat depression.
When Adderall and other stimulants are prescribed for depression, they are typically used along with an approved antidepressant.
Adderall Precautions
It’s important to keep in mind that Adderall can interact with certain antidepressants.
Examples of MAOIs include:
In addition, Adderall should be used cautiously with SSRIs and SNRIs.
This is because Adderall, SSRIs, and SNRIs can increase serotonin levels in your body.
Taking more than one drug that increases serotonin may cause serotonin to build up in your body.
Having very high serotonin levels can lead to a condition calledserotonin syndrome.
With serotonin syndrome, you may have symptoms such as:
Serotonin syndrome can be fatal if left untreated.
Be sure to seek emergency medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome while taking Adderall.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
These can includepsychotherapy(talk therapy), medication, or both.
Medication for Anxiety and Depression
Sometimes, psychotherapy alone is not enough to treat anxiety and depression.
In this case, healthcare providers may prescribe medication along with psychotherapy as part of your treatment.
It’s important to note that Adderall doesn’t directly treat anxiety or depression.
Adderall is a stimulant medication commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in adults and some children.
It works by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain.
In some cases, Adderall can be prescribed off-label to treat depression.
However, it is not the first-choice therapy for this condition.
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