Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Stimulant medications should not be used in patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Improved treating adult add , better memory, better sleep, and less the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medicine is working.
These medications can have side effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Patients with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take them. They are highly prone for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. You can get them in the form of pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often affected by weight loss and eating disorders. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop the tics. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is especially true for those with teachers, parents or caregivers who report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescents, but the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.