Treatment For ADHD

The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants, such as clonidine and Guanfacine.

Stimulant medications should not be used in patients with active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat adhd without medication adults Adult Adhd Diagnostic Assessment And Treatment. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medications. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they react to the medicine. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a drug to become evident. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and less impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.

Medications in this class can have side effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and may increase heart rate and blood pressure. Patients with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure should not take these medications. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They can be found 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 too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.

Around 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can be able to report improvements.

The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However, this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.