Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatments for add 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.
Patients with active substance abuse issues shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission might look into them. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. source web page are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep and a decrease in impulse control are all indications that the medication is working.
These medications can have adverse effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Some people who have an illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. In this instance the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
The use of stimulant medications is for about 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk for substance use disorders in later life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman et al83 found that stimulant treatment reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescents, but that this protective effect wanes as we enter early adulthood.