Treatment For ADHD

Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.

Patients who have active issues with substance abuse shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those who are in stable remission may take them into consideration. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat treating adhd and anxiety in adults. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. These are both very similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they respond to the drug. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Improved concentration, better memory, improved sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medicine is working.

Some of the side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use them. These are highly controlled drugs that are prone to abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in certain circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form of pills or tablets or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this situation, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the drug from causing more symptoms.

Stimulant medicines are used for around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with severe untreated adhd in adults. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.

Early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.