Treatment For ADHD
The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
Stimulant medication should not be used in patients who have active addiction issues, but they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The type prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medicine. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become evident. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and less impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Patients with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only via or psychiatrists or in certain cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They can also develop tics when the dosage is too high. In this instance, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70% to 80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. This is particularly true for those 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, Wilens, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.