Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They also include nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission might look into them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a drug to be apparent. adult adhd treatments in concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medication is working.
Some of the side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. adult adhd treatments who have medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use them. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. You can get them in the form of pills, tablets, patches that go on the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants often suffer from weight loss and appetite problems. They can also develop tics when the dosage is too high. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. This is especially relevant for children with parents, teachers, or carers who can be able to report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. adhd untreated in adults , Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during the adolescent period. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.