Treatment For ADHD

The most effective first line treatment for adhd in adults options treatments for adhd add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.

Patients with active issues with addiction shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission might consider them. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors who treat adhd in adults prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medication. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become evident. The medicine will work if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.

These medications can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with a medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs that are prone to abuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. If this occurs, the which doctor treats adhd will reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.

About 70% to 80 percent of children and adults suffering from adhd treatment for adult women are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is particularly relevant for children with teachers, parents or caregivers who be able to report improvements.

Early use of stimulants could lower the risk signs of untreated adhd developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.