Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for adding. The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.
treating add in adults who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may consider them. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are apparent. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, better sleep and reduced impulse control are all indications that the medication is working.
Some of the adverse effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with an illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use these medications. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and eating disorders. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop the tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
Around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and adolescents find that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers or other caregivers that can report improvements.
Early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders in the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.