Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for adding. The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Patients with active issues with addiction should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission might consider them. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between the brain's synapses. treatment adult adhd improves concentration and decreases impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medicine. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become apparent. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
These medications can have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise 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 closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop the tics. In this case, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the drug from causing more symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. Most children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is especially the case for children who have teachers, parents, or carers who can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of acquiring substance addiction disorders during the adolescent period. However this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.
