5 Laws That Anyone Working In Treatment For ADD Should Know

Treatment For adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment

The most common treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.

Stimulant medications should not be used by patients with active addiction issues, but they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar to each other. The type signs of untreated adhd medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medication is working.

These medications can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Certain people with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use these medications. They are controlled substances with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who use stimulants often suffer from weight loss and eating disorders. They may also experience tics when the dose is too high. In this case the doctor will lower the dose to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.

Around 70 to 80% children and adults with adhd and anxiety treatment (weblink) are treated with stimulant drugs. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or carers who report improvement.

Early use of stimulants can lower the risk signs of untreated adhd in adults developing substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescence, but that this protective effect wanes by early adulthood.