add treatments for adults For ADHD
The main treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine.
Stimulant medication should not be used in patients with active addiction issues, but they are a possibility for those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medicines. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each individual and how they react to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. The medicine will be effective when you notice improvements in memory, concentration sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
These medications can have side effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for abuse. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some situations general practitioners can prescribe them. You can find them in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. In this instance the doctor will lower the dose to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
Stimulant medication is used by approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is particularly relevant for children with parents, teachers or caregivers who report improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of substance use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk for substance use disorders during adolescence, however that this protective effect wanes by early adulthood.