Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). These medications include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
Patients with active issues with addiction shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those who are in stable remission might look into them. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based 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. The medicine will work for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
These medications can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Some people who have a medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take them. These are highly controlled drugs that are prone to abuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants often suffer from weight loss and eating disorders. They can also develop tics when the dosage is too high. In this case the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for about 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. made my day is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or carers that can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of substance use disorders in adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.