Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients who have active substance abuse issues, however they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in concentration, memory sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Certain people with a medical condition like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not take them. These are highly controlled drugs that are prone to abuse. Only treat adhd in adults , paediatricians, neurologists, and in certain situations general practitioners can prescribe them. You can find them in the form of pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers, or caregivers who report improvement.
Early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in the course of. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.