Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They can also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medication should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. They are both similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medication. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will be effective if you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and may increase heart rate and blood pressure. treating adult add with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure should not take them. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. treating adhd in adults are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and adolescents find that their symptoms get better when treated. treating adhd in adults is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers that can report improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk for substance use disorders in later life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders during adolescence, however the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.