Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Stimulant medication are not recommended for patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the medicine. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will work for you if you notice improvement in concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Some of the side effects can include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use these medications. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. They are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. When the dose is too high, they can also develop tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to stop the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is particularly true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers that can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during the adolescent period. However treating adhd in adults diminishes by early adulthood.