Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They may also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may take them into consideration. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become evident. The medication will be effective for you if you notice improvement in concentration, memory sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form of tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop tics. In this situation the doctor will decrease the dosage to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for around 70 to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who report improvement.
treatment for adhd in adults of stimulants may lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during adolescence. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.