Having ADHD and anxiety disorders together is pretty unlucky, as many ADHD meds have the side-effect of increasing anxiety. Some can give a confidence boost that temporarily kills anxiety, but when that part goes you're left with a crash and yet still increased anxiety (i.e. Ritalin, Adderall) which is kind of crap.
You might want to consider a drug like Effexor, or Cymbalta. These are in the SNRI class of antidepressants -- they elevate synaptic levels of the mood chemicals noradrenaline and serotonin.
Increasing serotonin activity boosts mood and kills anxiety, and raising noradrenaline increases energy and concentration. High levels of noradrenaline can actually make you more anxious, but the dual action on serotonin seems to stop SNRIs having this effect to any extent for most.
You may want to take an SSRI for the anxiety disorders and opt for a typical ADHD med like Ritalin or Adderall for that side of things. Ritalin is an NDRI, which means it raises noradrenaline as well as dopamine; the "pleasure chemical". Both of these actions cause a dramatic state of euphoria and focus, but without the calming influence of serotonin, anxiety can run amok. For me, the euphoria, focus and positive stimulation from Ritalin last no longer than one hour, then give way to jittery depression, insomnia and a racing heart. I have done many drugs and none have thus far topped Ritalin's spot as the nastiest comedown ever.
One way of tackling all the symptoms is to take an MAOI. There are minor problems like dying if you eat cheese, but as long as you educate yourself, they really are a lovely bunch. It's quite a testament to the brilliance of MAOIs that even today they are still used for "treatment-resistant" cases. Ones to consider: Nardil, Parnate.
Personally I don't think the Klonopin is doing you any favours for your ADHD, or the anxiety in the long run.
If you don't want to delve into the fun world of side-effects you'll find in some of those I mentioned, you might want to consider the non-pharmaceutical approaches. For example:
- Fish oils -- EPA and DHA can cause remarkable improvements in ADHD symptoms when taken in sufficient doses.
- Magnesium -- helps anxiety and mood greatly, and generally calms the nervous system down without making you stupid/forgetful as benzos do. Lots of people are deficient in magnesium; according to one study, more than half the US population...
- Taurine -- another anti-anxiety supplement that's cheap and proven.
- Inositol -- similar to the glucose molecule; proven by a vast number of studies for anxiety and depression.
- DL-phenylalanine -- the precursor to dopamine and noradrenaline (helps with ADHD), and also boosts levels of the natural painkilling chemicals in your body.
- L-tryptophan/5-HTP -- these two are precursors to serotonin. Can promote a calm, even elated mood.
- Folate -- proven to help depression.
- Selenium -- deficiency of this can cause hypothyroidism, which possibly could cause ADHD symptoms
- St. John's Wort -- eases depression, anxiety, and more mental disorders. Due to its effect on neurotransmitters such as dopamine, noradrenaline, GABA and serotonin, it would appear ideal for someone with a ADHD+anxiety combo.
- Rhodiola rosea -- simply put, this is awesome stuff. Proven more effective than several prescription drugs for depression/anxiety, but with practically zero side-effects.
- L-theanine -- an amino acid that raises GABA, serotonin and dopamine levels, among other things. When I tried it, I got a markedly benzo-like feel without as much mental dumbing. I think it could allow significant cuts in benzo doses.
