Hi,
Paxil belongs to a group of medications called SSRI. It is commonly prescribed for the treatment of
anxiety or
depression. Paxil does not worsen ADHD symptoms, but it can precipitate manic or hypomanic episodes in people who have
bipolar disorder. When experiencing manic or hypomanic episodes, it is usually tough to focus on other symptoms like racing thoughts, irritability, inflated mood, decreased need for sleep, poor judgment, grandiosity, etc.
ADHD treatment alone won't be effective if you have a comorbid condition. In your case, it seems you are suffering from anxiety, and ADHD medications most commonly used for treatment can worsen your anxiety. Coffee and red bull, which contain caffeine, can also worsen your anxiety, making it harder for you to focus.
- I would recommend first trying to cut down your caffeine and red bull and see any improvement in your symptoms.
- Certain medications can treat ADHD without worsening your anxiety, like
Guanfacine.
- Ultimately, I think you should continue to work with your
psychiatrist to find out which combination of medications works best for you and if you could benefit from additional
psychotherapy.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Saralkumar R. Desai, General & Family Physician