Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for adding. treatment for adhd adults can include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues should not take stimulant medications. However, those in stable remission can consider them. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. These are both very similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. The medication will be effective when you notice improvements in concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
The medicines in this class may have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can increase heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who consume stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop the tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers, or caregivers who report improvement.
Early use of stimulants could lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that stimulant treatment reduces the risk for substance use disorders in adolescence, but the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.