Treatment For ADD Isn't As Tough As You Think

Treatment For ADHD

The most effective treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.

Patients with active issues with addiction should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may take them into consideration.  treatment for adhd in adults  with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and decreases 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. Both are similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on a individual's biochemistry and how well they react to the drug. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.

Some of the adverse effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not take them. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, may 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 often experience appetite problems and weight loss. They may also experience disorders when the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

About 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is particularly the case for children who have teachers, parents or caregivers who observe improvements.

The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in the course of. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescence, but that this protective effect wanes by early adulthood.