• Health
  • Nutrition
  • Cannabis
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Life
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Meet Dr. Ross
    • Interviews
    • Media Requests
  • Services
    • Business Consulting
    • Influencer Marketing
    • Speaking
    • Web Design
  • Books
  • Courses
  • Consultations
  • Blog
    • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Cannabis
    • Beauty
    • Fitness
    • Life
  • Contact
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Connect

    Search

Dr. Michele Ross

Cannabis Coach & Cannabis Consulting

  • Meet Dr. Ross
    • About Dr. Ross
    • Press Coverage
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Business Consulting
    • Influencer Marketing
    • Speaking
    • Web Design
  • Contact
  • Books
    • Vitamin Weed
    • CBD Oil For Health
    • Kratom Is Medicine
    • Train Your Brain To Get Thin
    • Journal Yourself To Health
  • Courses
    • Cannabis & Motherhood
    • Cannabis For Pelvic Pain
    • Cannabis For Migraine
    • Cannabis For Fibromyalgia
  • Consults
Dr. Ross > Health > Treatments > Medications That Treat ADHD & Anxiety

Medications That Treat ADHD & Anxiety

By: Michele Ross, PhD · Published On: September 26, 2018 · Last Updated: March 6, 2022

asian woman taking xanax for anxiety
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
Email

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often coexists with other mood disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is necessary to treat both the anxiety and ADHD existing in the same patient, as treating only the ADHD may exacerbate anxiety symptoms, and treating only the anxiety may not help ADHD symptoms.

Stimulants

The most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD include stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall). While these medications are most effective for ADHD, they can have side effects of elevated heart rate, insomnia, headache, stomachache, decrease in appetite, and nervousness that would exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. When treating patients with both ADHD and anxiety, these drugs are not used or used in conjunction with an antidepressant to lessen the anxiety-provoking symptoms.

Antidepressants

Children with passive ADD can have problems knowing what to study, because they can’t distinguish relevant from irrelevant material. They may have problems with math and delays in reading and language. They may also not pay attention to the passage of time during timed tests or not pay attention when the homework assignment is posted on the chalkboard, leading to poor grades.

Tricyclic antidepressants including desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), and amitriptyline (Elavil) are commonly used to treat ADHD that is comorbid with anxiety. Tricyclic antidepressants work by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin or norepinephrine back into the brain cells. This prolongs the time the neurotransmitters are signaling, resetting the balance in the ADHD brain. Tricyclics work for patients with both anxiety and ADHD because they do not cause symptoms of nervousness that stimulants do, and they treat the anxiety symptoms.

Another antidepressant, bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin), is often prescribed for those with both anxiety and ADHD. Wellbutrin inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitter dopamine back into the brain cells, but may have other mechanisms of action.

Antidepressants are usually used in conjunction with stimulants to treat comorbid ADHD and anxiety, although some patients can be treated with antidepressants alone.

Battling Anxiety? Dr. Michele Ross will coach you back to health with cannabis

Other Classes of Medications

Clonidine, originally used to treat high blood pressure in adults, and guanfacine, are two adrenergic agonists used to treat ADHD in patients unresponsive to stimulants, or those with anxiety present. These drugs are used less often because of their sedation effects.

CBD Oil

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid found in many hemp and cannabis products. CBD works by increasing the amount of anandamide, your body’s natural endocannabinoid, that binds to cannabinoid receptors. It also can bind directly to a subtype of serotonin receptors called 5HT-1A receptors, and this is how it can relieve anxiety. For some people, CBD relieves anxiety and increases focus, making it a perfect solution for patients with ADHD and anxiety.

This article, written by Dr. Michele Ross, was originally published on Livestrong.com.

Pin This Post

young asian woman with adhd
young woman in motorcycle jacket with social anxiety
older woman struggling with anxiety

Share This Post

Medications That Treat ADHD & Anxiety
Pin
Share
Tweet
Share
Email

By: Michele Ross, PhD · In: Treatments · Tagged: adderall, ADHD, anxiety, attention, brain, impulsive, motivation, novelty, ritalin, stimulant, xanax

About Michele Ross, PhD

Dr. Michele Ross is a neuroscientist helping women heal chronic pain with CBD, cannabis, kratom, and mushrooms. She is the author of Kratom is Medicine, Vitamin Weed and CBD Oil For Health.

you’ll also love

green maeng da kratom powder powerful strainWhy Is Green Horned Maeng Da Kratom The Most Balanced Of All Strains?
cbd cannabis hemp flower for anxiety and stressHow CBD Hemp Flower For Anxiety Works
Is Medical Cannabis a Treatment For Epilepsy?

Join the List

Stay up to date & receive the latest posts in your inbox.

Next Post >

Symptoms of Passive ADD

Primary Sidebar

Meet Dr. Ross

Meet Dr. Ross
hello!

I help women heal pain using plant medicines including cannabis and mushrooms.

Learn more

Connect

young woman reading vitamin weed book in bath tub while smoking a joint

join the list

Featured Posts

woman going to gym with cbd oil in her gym bag

8 Tips For a CBD Routine That Works For You in 2022

woman kneeling with workout pain

How To Recover From A Workout With CBD

hand holding pills next to cannabis leaf unsafe drug interaction

Is CBD Safe To Take With Xanax?

Categories

  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Cannabis
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Life

Search

dr. michele ross recommends ladykind cbd for sleep and period pain

ready to get started?

I can't wait to work with you!

I've been working with plant medicine for over 15 years, written 5 books, and spoken around the world. I know the ins & outs of what makes a good product and which ones you or your clients should be taking.

Education Services
dr. michele ross cannabis coach cbd consultant speaker author

follow @drmicheleross

No one is giving $2 w🌱🌱d gummies to children No one is giving $2 w🌱🌱d gummies to children trick or treating on Halloween. Those reports you hear on the news simply aren’t true! ⁣
⁣
However, if you are attending a Halloween party for adults, ask if the candies, goodies, or drinks are special or infused! Edibles are more common at parties as an alternative to alcohol, especially in states where the plant has been legalized for both recreational & medical use.⁣
⁣
If you’re not used to consuming, try a small piece or half a piece, drink plenty of water, and make sure you have a safe place to sit if needed. And always call a rideshare aka Uber or Lyft home!⁣
⁣
Happy Halloween! 🎃💀👻⁣
⁣
#halloweencostume #halloween #halloweencostumes #halloweenparty #halloweenpartyideas #halloweenpartyideas🎃 #besafeoutthere #parentingmemes #halloweed #microdosing #cannamom #halloweencandy #gummybear #trickrtreat
Happy National Mushr00m Day! 🍄 ⁣ Which is you Happy National Mushr00m Day! 🍄
⁣
Which is your favorite Medicinal Mushr00m?⁣⁣
⁣⁣
It's more important than ever to take mushr00m supplements. Here's a little about how my favorite four mushr00ms work:⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Lion’s Mane Mushr00ms: great for improving focus and memory. Lion's mane promotes neurogenesis, or birth of new brain cells.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Cordyceps Mushr00ms: great for fighting fatigue and increasing length of your workouts. It's especially helpful for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Turkey Tail Mushr00ms: great for supporting your immune system. Clinical trials have looked at its role in fighting cancer.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Reishi Mushr00ms: what can't the queen of mushr00ms do? It fights cancer, boosts the immune system, improves mood, levels blood sugar, and promotes heart health.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
#cordyceps #reishi #reishimushroom #lionsmane #lionsmanemushrooms #lionsmanemushroom #turkeytail #turkeytailmushrooms #turkeytailmushroom #plantmedicine #medicinalmushrooms #shroomstagram #mushroomsociety #shroomies #functionalmushrooms #shrooms🍄 #mushrooms🍄
9/20 is National Magic Mushr00m Day. Why have a da 9/20 is National Magic Mushr00m Day. Why have a day to celebrate them?
Well in the United States & many parts of the world, they are still illegal, similar to another misunderstood therapeutic green plant we celebrate on 4/20. 
I've worked hard over the years in Denver & many other states to help decriminalize shr00ms and help people access information on how to use them for medical, spiritual, and stress relief purposes. I suggest following @decriminalizenature & @doubleblindmag for deeper info.
How are you celebrating today? ❤️ 🍄 ❤️
#fungilover #mushroomlover #psychedelictherapy #explorenature #natureistherapy
I’m not the only one, right? 😜 👩🏻‍🔬 💚
As a neuroscientist, I put out the first book on the potential causes of endocannabinoid deficiency and how to balance your ECS with or without plant medicine. 
From stress to medications to diet to your genes, there are so many ways your ECS go go haywire. The fact that so many people respond to plant medicine is likely because so many of us have severe imbalances.
Want to learn more, including what many of these terms mean? Check out my books (including Vitamin Weed) & courses via the link in my bio. 
#sciencelover #cannabiseducation #cannabisscience #lovelanguage #lovelanguages
At least in Nevada under the Board of Pharmacy... At least in Nevada under the Board of Pharmacy...
This is a huge victory, especially for POC in Nevada who were unfairly targeted by police and arrested due to this legal loophole despite legalization of this plant.
The ACLU sued the Nevada Pharmacy Board & won the case. An additional judgement on whether or not the board should regulate the plant at all any more is coming in future weeks.
Still waiting for @Potus to legalize on the Federal level. What are we waiting for?
#aclu #rights #medicinewoman #norml

Footer

On the Blog

  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Cannabis
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Life

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Advertising
  • Careers
  • Contact

Next Steps

  • Book a Consult
  • Shop Books & Courses
  • Infused Partners Brands
  • Shop AURA Kratom
  • Join MushroomMD
  • Join Kratom Is Medicine

© 2023 Infused Partners. This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok