Anxiety is a side effect of Vyvanse. Taking Vyvanse will only exacerbate the problem. Although each person reacts differently to drugs, just how people have different timings when it comes to Vyvanse kicking in. But, some people may feel calm and relaxed after taking Vyvanse as it improves their focus, and attention span. But, there is no clinical significance in that. So, does Vyvanse help with anxiety? The brief answer- NO
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Did Vyvanse Give You Relief From Anxiety?
Vyvanse is the brand name for lisdexamfetamine, which is a prescription CNS stimulant. After Adderall, it is the first choice of medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Vyvanse is also used to reduce binge eating disorder (BED) episodes in adults. You can now find Vyvanse as oral capsules and chewable tablets. Vyvanse differs from Adderall. While Adderall is amphetamine salts, Adderall is composed of amino acid L-lysine with dextroamphetamine. However, like Adderall, Vyvanse is a controlled substance. Just like Adderall, Vyvanse leads to anxiety, along with other side effects like weight loss. So, answering the question- Does Vyvanse get rid of anxiety? The answer is no!
Clinical trials showed the following people having anxiety;
- 5% to 6% of adults who took Vyvanse, depending on the condition being treated
- 0% to 1% of adults who took a placebo
The fact is- it is unknown how often anxiety could have occurred in children taking Vyvanse. If you suffer from anxiety, tell your doctor beforehand and ask them- can you take Vyvanse and antianxiety to keep the symptoms at bay.
Connection Between ADHD, Anxiety, and Vyvanse
Although the answer to does Vyvanse helps with anxiety is no. Let’s find out the connection between ADHD, anxiety, and Vyvanse. When someone takes Vyvanse, it balances the chemicals in the brain that lead to ADHD symptoms. Neurotransmitters like norepinephrine are increased, resulting in improved focus, and concentration. In contrast, better levels of dopamine enhance the feelings of pleasure. In short, taking Vyvanse increases the ability to focus, and controls hyperactivity and impulsivity.
But, with all the good, comes side effects, like anxiety. Other side effects include;
- Appetite reduction
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Sleep issues
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Weight loss.
The chemical changes are meant to reduce the symptoms of ADHD, not focusing on anxiety. The thing is- anxiety and ADHD are two different conditions, and more than half of adults with ADHD suffer from anxiety because of the challenges they have to face daily. If anxiety is not a pre occurring condition in people, people often develop anxiety. Sometimes, doctors recommend treatments for ADHD that also help with anxiety.
What Does Vyvanse Do to Your Brain?
Now we know the answer to, for all of you asking- does Vyvanse help with anxiety? What happens in the brain when someone takes Vyvanse? Anxiety is the result of upregulation of excitatory neurotransmitters High levels of norepinephrine and dopamine over excite the brain. This overexcitement results in nervousness, agitation, high energy, euphoria, and hence anxiety.
In other words- Vyvanse and similar ADHD medications speed brain activity and alter how nerve cells transfer messages around. This dysregulation causes mood changes, and if you do not have ADHD, the anxiety could be high. The higher the dosage of Vyvanse, the more the anxiety. One of the signs of too high Vyvanse dosage is anxiety and feelings of agitation.
If you started recently with Vyvanse, get used to the neurochemical effect. But, if the feelings of agitation are too high, it’s better to consult your doctor. They may change the medication or reduce the dosage, whatever suits you better.
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Does Vyvanse Help With Anxiety in Children?
Vyvanse has a similar effect on children and adults. So, if you ask- does Vyvanse help with anxiety in children? No, in fact, like adults, Vyvanse may lead to anxiety in children.
Effects on Personality in Children
Some clinical trials were conducted on children aged 6 to 12 years with ADHD. The results showed the following;
- 10% of children taking Vyvanse experienced irritability
- 3% of children taking Vyvanse experienced mood changes.
Vyvanse also leads to irritability, mood changes, and anger in children. However, none of these side effects were noticed in children taking the placebo test. Thus, it is difficult to say how often children or adults will experience mood changes or irritability.
If the doctor prescribed Vyvanse to your child, and you notice mood changes or regular emotional breakdowns, we recommend you discuss these signs with the doctor. They will tell you ways how to manage the symptoms.
Other Effects on Personality
Vyvanse temporarily affects personality. It alters a person’s behavior and thoughts. This is particularly true for children. In some cases, Vyvanse or other stimulants worsen pre-existing mental health conditions, like mania or psychosis in children and adults.
Clinical trials containing different stimulants showed;
- 0.1% of the individuals taking stimulants had signs of mania or psychosis
- 0% of the individuals who took a placebo had signs of psychosis or mania.
Symptoms of Psychosis
Some common symptoms are;
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
Symptoms of Mania
Some common symptoms of mania are;
- Racing thoughts
- Reckless behavior
- Extreme feelings of happiness
- Insomnia
The Bottom Line- Does Vyvanse Help With Anxiety?
No, Vyvanse does not help with anxiety. It leads to anxiety because of the alteration of the chemicals in the brain. We encourage you to talk with your doctor if you have more questions regarding the use of Vyvanse, or Vyvanse cost.
Vyvanse is an expensive drug, therefore ask about Vyvanse generic cost, or look for Vyvanse coupons. To keep the side effects minimal, the correct dose is important. Too much drug in the body increases the risk of side effects. How long does Vyvanse remain in the system is different for each person? Whether you need Vyvanse to manage the symptoms of ADHD is up to the doctor. But, we highly recommend you to discuss all your concerns with them, sharing any past mental health history, or substance abuse disorder history.
In My Experience- Does Vyvanse Help with Anxiety?
Why Contact Therapy Fleet?
I was diagnosed with ADHD and my doctor at Therapy Fleet put me on Vyvanse 10 mg. I also suffered from anxiety along with ADHD. Vyvanse made things worse for my anxiety initially. But, the ADHD symptoms were improving, and gradually, the anxiety swept away. So, yes, does Vyvanse help with anxiety? It does, but not by curing it, but rather by managing the ADHD symptoms and getting the life back on track. Go get started now with Therapy Fleet. Exceptional services and skilled doctors.
Medical Disclaimer:
At TherapyFleet, we strive to enhance the quality of life for those dealing with mental health issues. Our licensed medical professionals meticulously research, edit, and review all content before publication. Nonetheless, this information should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical guidance, please consult your physician or reach out to TherapyFleet’s qualified staff.
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FAQs- Does Vyvanse Help With Anxiety?
1. Does Vyvanse get rid of anxiety?
It does this by reducing the symptoms of ADHD. However, Vyvanse is not an anti-anxiety drug
2. Will Vyvanse increase my anxiety?
Yes, some people feel more anxious after taking Vyvanse and there is no clear evidence why that happens.
3. Should I take Vyvanse If I have anxiety or agitation?
No, it is not an anti-anxiety drug. Please contact your doctor for anxiety and agitation. They may recommend an alternate treatment for your anxiety.
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Additional Resources
- Vyvanse vs Adderall
- Signs Vyvanse Dose Too High
- Is Vyvanse a Controlled Substance
- How Long Does Vyvanse Stay in Your System
- Does Vyvanse Cause Weight Loss
- How Long Does It Take For Vyvanse to Kick in
- Vyvanse Generic Cost
- Is Vyvanse the same as Adderall?
Sources
- https://www.understood.org/en/articles/vyvanse-what-you-need-to-know,
- https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr9.fNc3l
ZnC8sO17NXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzcEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1734955868/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.ijest.org%2fnootropics%2fdoes-vyvanse-help-with anxiety%2f/RK=2/RS=oFixUXlAd2Kt3B9Ihe.E0NRAEoM- - https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/
label/2022/021977s048,208510s005lbl.pdf
