Does Adderall Help With Anxiety?

Adderall is not labeled for the treatment of anxiety. Health care providers may advise against starting Adderall if a patient is diagnosed with anxiety, depression or agitation.

The relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and anxiety is complex. Some people report more symptoms of anxiety with ADHD medication, while others experience short-term relief from anxiety.

Regular use or overuse of amphetamines such as Adderall may lead to mood swings, panic attacks and anxiety. In addition, research has found that withdrawal from ADHD medication may cause anxiety.

Research on ADHD medication to treat anxiety is limited, and more is needed to fully understand the relationship.

Adderall may interact with some classes of anxiety medications. There are no labeled drug interactions between Adderall and benzodiazepines, such as Xanax or Valium. However, they are not recommended to be used together unless under the supervision of a health care provider.

Another class of anxiety medications that interact with Adderall are monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Examples of MAOIs include Marplan and Nardil. Due to risks of large increases in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis), patients taking MAOIs should not use Adderall.

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening reaction that may occur with Adderall. The risk is higher when combining Adderall with anxiety medications classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. To reduce the risk of Adderall side effects, inform your health care provider of all the current medications you take.

If you believe Adderall is causing anxiety, talk to your health care provider. They may recommend a change in medication or treatment for your symptoms.

Withdrawal from Adderall can also produce anxiety. Do not change your dosage or stop taking any prescribed medication unless your health care provider has instructed you to do so.

Consult your health care provider for the most appropriate treatment tailored to your medical history, ADHD severity and potential comorbidities. Individuals may respond differently to ADHD medications, so report side effects or concerns to your health care provider to ensure effective treatment for your ADHD.