Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They can also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and Guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse issues, however they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Ongoing
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each individual and how they react to it. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and less impulsivity are all signs that the medication is working.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. You can get them in the form or tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often affected by weight loss and appetite problems. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for approximately 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders in adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.