Well, there is a genetic component to anxiety, and I would suspect that anxious parents could also create anxiety. But, I think, from all I have read that ADHD is the biggest cause as the person tries to cope with the ADHD. And frankly, if you were a part of it or not, doesn't matter. What does matter is that you are a part of helping him deal with it.
In terms of your anxiety question. My go-to-guy for this is Dr. Charles Parker at Corepsyc. I had to go back over a lot of stuff to find specific answers. But, my first thought is that I believe that you have been using stim meds now for about 5 months? Does the dosage now seem to be working? I see where you have gone from concerta to methlophyidate. 20mg, 3 times daily. Of course the 20 mgs is somewhat short acting so that there will be gaps in the coverage. Does the anxiety get worse during those times. And, of course, there are ways to deal with anxiety that even a 8 year can learn to deal with it. Actually that brings up another question - since he now is not in school - has the anxiety gotten better? Point being, that if the anxiety is better when he is not in school - use this time to work with him on dealing with it.
But back to your question. First, do not give him Paxil - " Prozac and Paxil both significantly block the pathway for the metabolism of Adderall and all the amphetamine products." Which can lead to really bad stuff.
Second, go very low and slow if you do try meds for this. From the same link - "Effexor, venlafaxine, Pristiq, Lexapro, & Celexa are all quite clean on 2D6." so those are the meds to look at if you do go that route.
Read more: http://www.corepsych.com/2006/11/adderall-prozac-and-paxil-problem-not-solution/#ixzz38AfKhCmX
Read more: http://www.corepsych.com/2006/11/adderall-prozac-and-paxil-problem-not-solution/#ixzz38Af5GM2Q
Finally, here are two pretty good links on Anxiety, etc which you might find interesting from Dr. Parker.
http://www.corepsych.com/2013/03/adhd-insights-cognitive-anxiety-markers-2/
http://www.corepsych.com/2012/10/adhd-insights-social-anxiety-revisited/
I do hope this helps. Keep in touch!
I take klonopin i'd see about the lowest dose .05 up to four tx daily i take 2mg four tx daily it does wonders for me
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Parents need to understand that ADD / ADHD has a definite cause. When that cause is removed the child will usually recover. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – sometimes referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder – is as widespread as the refined foods and the food additives that play such a major role in causing ADD / ADHD. Once you have read the information below you will realise that Ritalin and other ADD / ADHD medications achieve nothing more than the suppression of symptoms. If we remove the cause of Attention Deficit Disorder, the symptoms will soon abate and no medication will be necessary.
Not sure where you have gotten your info, but it has no scientific evidence behind it. If, "we remove the cause of Attention Deficit Disorder, the symptoms will soon abate" then you don't have AD/HD - you have something else.
Imaging research on the neurochemistry of ADHD implicate the catecholamine-rich fronto-subcortical systems in the pathophysiology of ADHD. SPECT findings show that during concentration, there is decreased activity in the underside and lateral preforontal cortex with concentration.
"Although precise causes have not yet been identified, there is little question that heredity makes the largest contribution to the expression of the disorder in the population.
In instances where heredity does not seem to be a factor, difficulties during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco, premature delivery, significantly low birth weight, excessively high body lead levels, and postnatal injury to the prefrontal regions of the brain have all been found to contribute to the risk for AD/HD to varying degrees.
Research does not support the popularly held views that AD/HD arises from excessive sugar intake, excessive television viewing, poor child management by parents, or social and environmental factors such as poverty or family chaos. Of course, many things, including these, might aggravate symptoms, especially in certain individuals. But the evidence for such individual aggravating circumstances is not strong enough to conclude that they are primary causes of ADHD. A related problem that has some accumulating evidence is sensitivity to food or additives such as colorings and preservatives. Several controlled double-blind studies suggest that these might be important for a minority of children with ADHD, and a couple of controlled studies suggest a small effect on all children whether or not they have ADHD." http://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/Causes-and-Brain-Chemistry.aspx
No artificial preservatives, colorings, additives, or
refined carbohydrates. Primary nutrients were derived from whole grains,
seeds, nuts, fresh fruit, vegetables, raw milk and water.
I do agree that it is always wise to try diet changes.
Grew fat, lazy and were not alert. Their coats were
ragged and tails scaly, with dull eyes and rough and dry skin. When held,
they were jumpy. These were smaller in size than those in Group One.
keepwell