Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.
I Am Psychiatry should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This improves focus and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep, and a decrease in impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
Some of the adverse effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have a medical condition like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not take these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form or pills, tablets, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to stop the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
Stimulant medication is used by around 70 to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk for addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.