Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine and atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine.
Patients with active issues with addiction shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those who are in stable remission might take them into consideration. 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 decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medications. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medication. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and a decrease in the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medication is working.
These medications can have side effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise blood pressure and heart rate. adult add treatments with medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who consume stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. In this situation, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the drug from worsening symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for approximately 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. A majority of children and young adults experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is especially true for those with teachers, parents or caregivers who report improvements.
Early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk for substance use disorders during adolescence, however that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.