ADHD Treatments For Adults

Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These include medicine as well as counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments could consist of a combination.

Stimulant Medications

The drugs increase the supply of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class like Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medicines

Stimulants are medications that boost the body's system and may cause higher levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, as well as prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can trigger overstimulation which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They can also trigger aggression and anxiety and. For some, long-term usage of stimulants can harm the the brain's dopamine system, which can decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids or patches. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and abused.


The drugs in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that boost concentration, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. The medications are available in an all-day formula or longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, like lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.

The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is crucial, and can be an extremely difficult task.

adhd adults treatment -stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants

About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medication, and this is likely to be the case for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to start working, and may take some time before you feel the effects. However, they don't have the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and can be a better choice in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.