Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants like atomoxetine and viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
The use of stimulants should not be used in patients who have active addiction issues, but they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medicines. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and less the tendency to be impulsive 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. People with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take these medications. They are controlled substances that are prone to abuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form or pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants often suffer from weight loss and eating disorders. They can also develop tics when the dose is too high. In this situation, the doctor will reduce the dose to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who report improvement.
adhd treatment in adults of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescents, but that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.