ADHD Treatments For Adults

Many of the same methods that work for children with ADHD also treat adults. These include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include a combination of these therapies.

treating adult add work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate, sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta as well as stimulants belonging to the amphetamine family such as lisdexamphetamine, which is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.

treating adult adhd are drugs that stimulate the body's systems and can increase mental alertness and more physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription drugs that treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. In some people, long-term use of stimulants can damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system, which can dampen feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids, or patches. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.

The drugs in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain that boost concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a formula that acts quickly taken in the morning or a longer-acting medicine that remains active in the body for most of the day such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).

The health care team could also recommend psychosocial interventions like psychotherapy or education. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of medication over time. This is challenging.


Non-stimulant Medications

About 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulant medication This is also true for adults too. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to work and may take several weeks before you notice any effects. They don't have the same negative side effects and are a better choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.