Question: Hello Dr. Faraone, we appreciate you here today. Recently I was diagnosed with ADHD-PI af the age of 31. What are your thoughts on some of the effects adhd have on anxiety and panic disorder?  I was treated for both GAD and panic disorder with a variety of medication but sadly they did not work for me. Once I got on adderall, my anxiety and panic reduced to the point of almost zero. What are your thoughts on the chemical imbalances that causes this and how likely is it that adhd really exacerbated my panic/anxiety disorder?
Answer: That is a tough question. Stimulants can aggravate anxiety but when anxiety is caused by the symptoms of ADHD, then treating the ADHD can lessen anxiety.  I think the latter is a behavioral effect, i.e., when symptoms lessen patients perform better and have fewer reasons to be nervous.
content: Q: Hello Dr. Faraone, we appreciate you here today. Recently I was diagnosed with ADHD-PI af the age of 31. What are your thoughts on some of the effects adhd have on anxiety and panic disorder?  I was treated for both GAD and panic disorder with a variety of medication but sadly they did not work for me. Once I got on adderall, my anxiety and panic reduced to the point of almost zero. What are your thoughts on the chemical imbalances that causes this and how likely is it that adhd really exacerbated my panic/anxiety disorder?
   Ans: That is a tough question. Stimulants can aggravate anxiety but when anxiety is caused by the symptoms of ADHD, then treating the ADHD can lessen anxiety.  I think the latter is a behavioral effect, i.e., when symptoms lessen patients perform better and have fewer reasons to be nervous.