Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission might look into them. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. They are both similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they respond to the medication. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and a decrease in impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
These medications can have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure should not take them. treat adult add are tightly controlled drugs with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and eating disorders. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms when they receive treatment. This is especially relevant for children with parents, teachers, or carers who can report improvements.
Early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes as we enter early adulthood.