Vyvanse and Anxiety: Your Real Takeaway

Vyvanse and Anxiety: Your Real Takeaway

For the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is used for moderate as well as severe episodes of binge eating.. In studies of the drug, Vyvanse appears to have augmented attention and impulsivity as well as help binge eating... Thus, health care providers are eager to understand its effects on anxiety, a common condition experienced with ADHD..

Here in this blog, we’re going to talk about the interaction of Vyvanse with anxiety and its potential side effects, risks, and some things you should consider if you are taking both conditions.

Does Vyvanse Produce Anxiety?

Vyvanse is a stimulant. So it triggers certain neurotransmitters in your brain ( like dopamine and norepinephrine ), which in turn can make you more focused or energized. But in some people, it can cause anxiety ( which could never have happened if you didn't have any ) if you did have it in the first place.

Nervousness

Restlessness

Racing heart

Insomnia

Jitteriness

These signs and symptoms may be more present when you first start the medication (or even after you increase the dosage). Not everyone who takes Vyvanse has anxiety, but in some people, overall anxiety goes down with treatment of their ADHD, especially when the anxiety is because it is part of the distress caused by uncontrolled ADHD symptoms.

Vyvanse and Coexisting Anxiety Disorders

Some people with ADHD also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic attacks, or social anxiety. It's very hard to treat both conditions at the same time. While Vyvanse may help reduce the symptoms of ADHD, it may not help relieve – and sometimes even worsen – the root anxiety if it isn't taken with care.

When anxiety is a major issue, physicians may opt to:

Begin with a lower dose of Vyvanse and titrate up

Track the patient's anxiety symptoms vigilantly

Consider combining Vyvanse with an anti-anxiety drug (such as an SSRI)

Suggest therapy (CBT is particularly effective for ADHD and anxiety)

Can Vyvanse Help with Anxiety?

This is a decent question, as some people have said that they get more focused and calm taking Vyvanse. If anxiety is primarily executive dysfunction (generalized panic attacks about being disorganized, running late, forgetting things, etc. ), taking ADHD medication like Vyvanse would probably reduce anxiety indirectly.

That said, I would like to point out that Vyvanse is not indicated for treating anxiety disorders as a whole. One should never take it for anxiety by itself, and one needs to make the distinction between anxiety as a whole condition and anxiety as a side effect of ADHD symptoms.

Tips for Coping with Anxiety on Vyvanse

No, I 'm not on Vyvanse. I have high levels of anxiety.. Tips for dealing with it

Track your symptoms: Keep track of when and what triggers your anxiety.

Adjust the timing: If you take Vyvanse in the morning, it may help reduce nighttime anxiety.

Try some relaxation techniques. Deep breathing, meditation, and exercise might be what you need.

Talk to your doctor: Do not change your dose or stop taking Vyvanse without the doctor's advice.

Final Thoughts

Vyvanse is a good medication for ADHD and BED, but not without its kinks, particularly anxiety. The best way to accurately evaluate the balance between anxiety-lowering and anxiety-worsening is to work with your healthcare provider closely, and best of all, I encourage you to have a professional assess your health if you are looking at treatment or have serious side effects of Vyvanse.