Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for add. The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They also include nonstimulants, like clonidine and Guanfacine.
Stimulant medication are not recommended for patients with active addiction issues, but they are an option for those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. They are both similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It could take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and less impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
These medications can have side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may increase heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. They are controlled substances with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. In this case, the doctor will reduce the dose to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
Stimulant medication is used by around 70 to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. adhd treatment for adults of children and adolescents find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders in the adolescent period. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.