Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission might take them into consideration. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medicines. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. The medicine will work when you notice improvements in concentration, memory sleep, and impulsivity.
More Help of the side effects can include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in certain situations general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. When the dose is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. In this situation, the doctor will reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for approximately 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially relevant for children with teachers, parents or caregivers who report improvements.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during adolescence. However, this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.