Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine. adhd treatment adults include non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable recovery. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will be effective when you notice improvements in your concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Patients with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in certain situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. You can find them in the form or pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants often suffer from weight loss and eating disorders. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop the tics. In this case, the doctor will reduce the dose to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms when they receive treatment. This is especially true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can be able to report 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 and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk for substance use disorders in adolescents, but the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.