Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for add. The medications contain stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They can also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medication are not recommended for patients who have active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in 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 in brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. adult add treatment can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. The medication will be effective when you notice improvements in concentration, memory sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the adverse effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form or pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience tics when the dose is too high. In this case the doctor will decrease the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescence, but that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.