Treatment For ADHD
The main treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
Patients with active issues with addiction shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those who are in stable remission can look into them. Combination therapy using antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. treatment of add in adults improves concentration and decreases the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medicines. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It could take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become apparent. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
These medications can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with an illness such as high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use them. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians, or in some cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
Around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is particularly the case for children who have parents, teachers or caregivers who report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes as we enter early adulthood.