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Medications for Childhood Anxiety & ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects children and adults alike. Children with ADHD often have inattentive behaviors and difficulty sitting still or focusing on tasks. Sometimes, ADHD can also be accompanied by other problems, such as anxiety or stress disorders. Treatments for both ADHD and anxiety exist in many forms.

  1. Stimulants

    • Doctors often prescribe stimulants to treat ADHD. Stimulants work by increasing and balancing neurotransmitter levels in the brain, which can help with symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention. Some children with ADHD may take short-acting stimulants two or three times per day, while other children will take one longer-acting pill or patch to last all day. Side effects may include weight loss, difficulty sleeping and loss of appetite; common stimulants used for the treatment of ADHD include Ritalin and Adderall.

    Non-Stimulants

    • The non-stimulant medication called Strattera may also be used to treat ADHD symptoms. This would be the case for children who do not respond to stimulant medications or who experience severe side effects from stimulants. Strattera can work to relieve traditional ADHD symptoms in addition to anxiety and is usually given in one or two doses daily.
      Strattera also can cause patients to experience loss of appetite, weight loss and nausea. In rare cases, it may cause liver problems. In some studies, it has also been suggested that Strattera may increase suicidal thoughts in children and teens.

    Other ADHD Medications

    • Some doctors may prescribe antidepressants to treat ADHD symptoms, particularly if the patient isn't responding to the above treatments or has a mood disorder to accompany ADHD. High-blood-pressure drugs, such as Clonidine, may also help with ADHD symptoms such as tics, insomnia and aggression.

    Selective-Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

    • Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants often used to treat childhood anxiety disorders. This group of medications includes Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac. These medications carry a slight risk of increased suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents, so parents should monitor their children while they take SSRIs.

    Children and Medication

    • With any childhood disorder, it is important to monitor your child as she takes her medication to ensure that she takes the proper dosages daily and that no serious side effects appear. Some children may have difficulty taking certain medications because they are not accustomed to swallowing pills (most of the drugs mentioned here do not come in a liquid form), or because they do not want to admit that there is something "wrong" with them. Work with your child to help him learn to take his medication daily, and remind him that it helps him feel better and live his life in a safe and healthy way. Monitor your child for physical or emotional side effects, and talk to your doctor any time you feel something has changed (such as the symptoms increasing in severity or the appearance of a side effect). Then the physician can prescribe a different dosage or medication if needed.

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