The treatment for ADHD and PTSD varies based on the individual.
The treatment for ADHD and PTSD varies based on the individual. It’s important to discuss your symptoms with a psychiatrist or psychologist who can help you determine which treatment options are best for you. In some cases, he or she may recommend a combination of medication and other forms of treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction, art therapy, equine therapy or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Most of the medications used to treat ADHD are stimulant medications.
ADHD and PTSD are often treated with the same types of medications, including stimulants. Stimulant medications have been found to be very effective in treating symptoms of ADHD. As a result, they remain the most commonly used medication for treating ADHD.
However, it’s important to note that stimulant medications are not appropriate for everyone. These medications can have serious side effects, especially when taken at high doses or over long periods of time. They may not be safe for people who have:
- an allergy to stimulant drugs
- severe hypertension (high blood pressure)
- a history of drug abuse or dependence
Medications that have been effective in treating both conditions include clonidine, guanfacine, desipramine and venlafaxine.
Medications that have been effective in treating both conditions include clonidine, guanfacine, desipramine and venlafaxine. Clonidine and guanfacine are alpha-2 agonists used to treat high blood pressure. They can be helpful in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. Guanfacine is an extended release form of clonidine, which was developed to increase the medication’s effectiveness by 12 hours.
Several other types of therapy can be used to treat PTSD including cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR therapy.
There are several other types of therapy that can be used to help treat PTSD.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This style of therapy helps people manage their symptoms by changing how they think about and react to situations or memories.
- EMDR: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that uses guided eye movements, along with other forms of sensory input, to bring awareness and attention to disturbing past experiences while also helping the person process these experiences.
In some cases, a combination of medication and other forms of treatment may be necessary.
In some cases, a combination of medication and other forms of treatment may be necessary.
If you have both ADHD and PTSD, the best approach to treatment is to manage both conditions at once. Treatment for ADHD and PTSD combined will likely include medication and other forms of treatment.
Medications that are used specifically to treat ADHD or PTSD may make your symptoms worse if you also have depression or anxiety. It’s important to discuss these possible interactions with your doctor. You may need different medications than those listed above when treating both conditions.
Both ADHD and PTSD are serious medical conditions but they can be treated effectively with the right combination of medications and therapies
It’s important to note that both conditions are serious medical problems. They require professional care from a doctor and other specialists. However, they can be effectively treated with the right combination of medications and therapies.
Generally, doctors start by treating ADHD symptoms first with stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse).
If you have PTSD along with ADHD, your doctor may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to treat the PTSD symptoms. Clonidine and guanfacine are sometimes used to treat physical symptoms of anxiety. Desipramine and venlafaxine are effective in treating depression associated with PTSD.
Behavioral therapy is also recommended for people who have both PTSD and ADHD or ADD. These therapies can help you learn techniques for managing your emotions, changing negative thinking patterns, coping strategies for stressful situations, relationship skills, problem-solving skills and relaxation techniques.