adhd adult treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. These medications include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active substance abuse issues, however they can be considered in those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will be effective for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure shouldn't take them. They are highly prone for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form of tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. When the dose is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. In this case the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescence, but that this protective effect wanes by early adulthood.