Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for add. The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used in patients with active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. add adult treatment may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they react to the medication. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, improved sleep, and a decrease in impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can increase heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills or patches that go on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They can also develop tics when the dose is too high. In this instance, the doctor will reduce the dosage to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
Around 70 to 80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is particularly relevant for children with teachers, parents or caregivers who be able to report improvements.
add adult treatment of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescence. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.