Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine and atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. These are both very similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they react to the medication. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become apparent. The medicine will work for you if you notice improvement in concentration, memory, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may increase heart rate and blood pressure. Some people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form of tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this situation, the doctor will reduce the dose to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in the course of. adhd treatments adults and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescents, but that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.