Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for add. The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may look into them. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a individual's biochemistry and how well they respond to the medicine. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become evident. The medicine will work if you notice improvements in memory, concentration sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Some of the adverse effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. They are highly prone for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in some situations general practitioners can prescribe them. treatment for adults with add can be found in the form of tablets or pills or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.
treatment for adult add and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They may also experience disorders when the dose is too high. In this instance, the doctor will reduce the dose to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers that can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk for drug use disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades by early adulthood.