Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). Medications can include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission can consider them. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the medicine. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. The medicine will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
The medicines in this class may have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may increase blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. They are controlled substances with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. They can also develop tics when the dose is too high. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for about 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. A majority of children and young adults find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in the course of. adhd adults treatment , Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders in adolescence. However, this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.