ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from the same treatments as children. These treatments include medication and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include a combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. They include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group, such as lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants speed up the body and can cause increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee), nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. treating add can also trigger aggression and anxiety and. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available as liquids, patches or pills. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medicines are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, for example lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.
The health care team might also suggest psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of medicines over time. This can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15%-30% of kids do not respond to stimulants and it's likely that this is true for adults too. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to work and could take as long as several weeks to begin to notice any effects. However, they don't carry the same risk of side effects as stimulants, and could be a better choice if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.