Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission might take them into consideration. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will work if you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. treating adult adhd have a high potential for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in some situations general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They may also experience tics when the dosage is too high. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. A majority of children and young adults experience improvement in their symptoms when they receive treatment. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that stimulant treatment reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescence, but that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.