Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). Medications can include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Stimulant medication should not be used by patients with active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. Most 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 a person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the medication. adhd treatment in adults can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep and a decrease in the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medicine is working.
Some of the side effects can include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, shouldn't take them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants often suffer from weight loss and appetite problems. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. In this instance, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is especially true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can be able to report improvements.
Early use of stimulants could lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.