Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.
treating add with active substance abuse issues are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission might take them into consideration. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves focus and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. It could take up to seven days for full effects of a drug to be apparent. The medicine will work if you notice improvements in memory, concentration sleep, and impulsivity.
These medications can have side effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not take them. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop tics. In this situation the doctor will decrease the dose to stop the drug from causing more symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for about 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms when they receive treatment. This is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers, or caregivers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of substance use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during adolescence, however that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.