ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments that children receive. These include medicine, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They can also involve a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the supply of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate, sold as Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine, which is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
treating add boost the body's metabolism and can result in an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, as well as prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can trigger overstimulation which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They may also cause aggression and anxiety and. In some people long-term usage of stimulants can harm the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. Stimulants are available in liquids, patches or pills. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants that can be obtained from a criminal and then used.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. Adults suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. These medicines are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or a longer-acting formulation that remains active throughout the day, such as lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital, and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulant drugs and this is probably true for adults too. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and can sometimes take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. They don't have the same negative side effects and are a better choice for those who are unable to tolerate stimulants or fear of addiction.