Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). These medications include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Stimulant medications should not be used in patients with active substance abuse issues, however they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. treatment for adult add prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and a decrease in impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
Some of the adverse effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants often experience appetite problems and weight loss. When the dose is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to stop the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers or carers that can report improvements.
Early use of stimulants could lower the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.