Treatment For ADHD
The main treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and Guanfacine.
Patients with active issues with addiction are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those in stable remission may look into them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. adhd treatments adults of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It may take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become evident. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and reduced impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
Some of the adverse effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, like 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, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some situations general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants often suffer from weight loss and appetite problems. When the dose is too high, they can also develop the tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. The majority of children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or carers who report improvement.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk for substance use disorders in later life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.