Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for add. The medications contain stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used by patients with active substance abuse issues, however they are an option for those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This helps improve concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a individual's biochemistry and how well they respond to the drug. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become apparent. Improved adults adhd treatment , better memory, better sleep, and less impulsivity are all signs that the medication is working.
Some of the side effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will decrease the dosage to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. Most children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is especially relevant for children with parents, teachers, or carers who can observe improvements.
The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders in the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.