Treatment For ADHD
The most common 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, such as clonidine and guanfacine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those who are in stable remission might take them into consideration. 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 helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. It could take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become evident. The medicine will work when you notice improvements in concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may raise heart rate and blood pressure. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in certain situations general practitioners can prescribe them. You can get them in the form or pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. When adhd untreated in adults is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. In this case the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
The use of stimulant medications is for about 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially relevant for children with parents, teachers, or carers who can observe improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of substance use disorders later in the course of. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that stimulant treatment reduces the risk for substance use disorders in adolescents, but the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.