Treatment For ADD: 11 Things You're Forgetting To Do

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Treatment For ADHD

The main treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.

The use of stimulants should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse issues, however they are an option for those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves focus and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It could take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. The medicine will be effective for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.

Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure should not use these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse adhd symptoms adults treatment and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.

Children and adolescents who consume stimulants often experience appetite problems and weight loss. They may also experience disorders when the dosage is too high. In this case, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the drug from worsening symptoms.

Stimulant medication is used by around 70 to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is particularly the case for children who have parents, teachers, or carers who can observe improvements.

Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk for addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during the adolescent period. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.