Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission can look into them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This helps improve 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 medicines. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the individual's biochemistry and how well they react to the medication. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become evident. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory, sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the side effects can include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have an illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not use them. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians, or in some cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
adhd treatment for adults and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. In this instance the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
Around 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly relevant for children who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.