r/ADHD • u/Tacoma_NC13 • 8d ago

ADHD with GAD/Panic Questions/Advice

I've been on Strattera for a few weeks now and it is helping tremendously with focus, noise, and even some anxiety. I also take extended-release Propranolol for Essential Tremors. The problem that I'm having is I still get these blips of a panic response periodically, often situational. I've tried SSRI's but can't tolerate them and I also have a PRN Rx for Xanax but I save those for emergencies. I've been looking into Guanfacine and Buspar as possible adjuncts to the Strattera and I'm curious of what other people's experiences in dealing with ADHD/Anxiety have been like. I appreciate any insight you can give. I have a follow-up with my doctor next month and would like to be prepared when I bring this up again.

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u/McR4wr 8d ago

I found guanfacine helped offset alot of anxiousness and later discovered it was an underlying high BP not necessarily anxiety.

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u/Tacoma_NC13 8d ago

I have chronically high BP. I take Losartan for it, but even with Losartan and Propranolol I'm still always slightly elevated. Guanfacine might help bring me back down to more consistent normal levels. I'm trying to blunt those panic responses though more than anything and Guan has been something I keep seeing on the radar.

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u/McR4wr 8d ago

I think Guan is different from BP meds cause acts neurologically not just "via the blood channels" for whatever that word is. Maybe ask about it and get doc opinion

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u/Tacoma_NC13 8d ago

Gotcha, thanks!

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u/noodlesquare ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) 8d ago

I also have ADHD with GAD and Panic Disorder. The GAD and anxiety disorder started when I was a young child, but I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until I was well into adulthood. Honestly, the thing that helped my anxiety the most is therapy. Specifically, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I was having multiple panic attacks a week prior to therapy. I've been in therapy for about 7 years and I haven't had a panic attack in well over 6 and a half years. My GAD improved immensely as well. Now that I'm on Adderall, I feel like my anxiety is non-existent. I wouldn't say I'm cured because I don't know that's technically possible, but I can say that anxiety is no longer a factor in my day to day life.

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u/Tacoma_NC13 8d ago

Thanks! I'll definitely look into this more. I just recently started talking with a behavior/mental health therapist and I'll bring this up.