Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
treatment for adhd adults of stimulants should not be used in patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medicines. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become evident. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in concentration, memory, sleep, and impulsivity.
full report of the adverse effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with a medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. These are highly controlled drugs that are prone to abuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They may also experience tics when the dosage is too high. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for around 70 to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly true for those who have parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman et al83 found that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance abuse disorders during adolescence, however that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.
