Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They also include nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission may take them into consideration. treating adult adhd with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they react to the medication. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are apparent. The medicine will be effective for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. You can get them in the form of tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and a lack of appetite. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop the tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve when treated. This is particularly the case for children who have teachers, parents, or carers who can observe improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of developing substance use disorders in later life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during the adolescent period. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.