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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Paxil Aggravate ADHD?

I recently went to my pcp with concern about anxiety and depression. Things I have dealt with my whole life... After discussing all my symptoms and prescribing me with paxil and xanax she asked me a variety of other questions and decided she thinks I am ADHD. I made an appointment for a few weeks from now at a mental health clinic for intake. I am in a small community and its difficult to get in any sooner. This news has sent me into a tailspin. I had a hard time concentrating before but now I feel, well I dont even know how to feel. I have looked back at my life and I m mad that I didn t know. multiple jobs, ruined credit, no real friends, highschool dropout, so many different goals and paths that i never followed through on. It s so frustrating. I know I ve lived this long with it (if you can call my life living) but now that I might know the base of my problem it is eating at me. I am starting my second semester in a career program at a comunity college and I don t want to struggle through it while I wait for diagnoses and treatment. My question is until I can get diagnosed, and therapy rolling what are some things I can do (besides coffee and red bull, I already use those constantly just to function) that will help me start getting myself in better shape to face the world, finish what I start, and just all around focus on what Im supposed to be doing? Also is it possible that the paxil is aggravating the ADHD if that s what I have. My mind is already busy busy all the time and the paxil instead of calming me seems to be making me worse? my anxiety level is lower, but im having a harder time concentrating and my thoughts are more jumbled than they already are. Could it be the meds or am I reacting to the news that I might have been able to be normal all along and just never knew it?
Wed, 3 Feb 2021
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
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
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Does Paxil Aggravate ADHD?

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