Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, and nonstimulants like 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 might look into them. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. treatments for adhd in adults may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. They are both similar drugs. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are apparent. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the side effects can include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not take these medications. They are controlled substances with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. In this case the doctor will decrease the dose to stop the drug from causing more symptoms.
Around 70 to 80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and young people notice that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers, or caregivers that can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of substance use disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders in the adolescent period. However this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.