Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. The medications can include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission can take them into consideration. treatment for adhd adults using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on the individual's biochemistry and how well they react to the drug. It may take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to be apparent. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Some of the adverse effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with a medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use them. They are controlled substances with a potential for abuse. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and appetite problems. They can also develop tics when the dosage is too high. In this instance the doctor will decrease the dosage to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. adhd adult treatment of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve when treated. This is particularly true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers that can report improvements.
Early use of stimulants could lower the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during the adolescent period. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.