Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
Patients with active issues with addiction should not take stimulant medications. However, those in stable remission might consider them. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. treatment for adults with add may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become evident. The medicine will work for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Some of the side effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with a medical condition like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in certain situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. You can get them in the form of pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this instance the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially relevant for children with teachers, parents or caregivers who observe improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk for drug use disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.
