Treatment For ADHD


The most effective treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). Medications can include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.

Patients who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may look into them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on a individual's biochemistry and how well they respond to the medication. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are apparent. adhd treatment in adults will be effective for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.

Some of the side effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or in certain cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form of pills, tablets, patches that go on the skin or liquids.

Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop the tics. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.

Stimulant medication is used by around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can report improvements.

The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that stimulant treatment reduces the risk for substance use disorders during adolescence, however the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.