Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
The use of stimulants should not be used by patients with active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves focus and reduces the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. made a post might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medicines. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. The medicine will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They can also develop tics when the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
Stimulant medication is used by approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents find that their symptoms improve when treated. This is especially the case for children who have parents, teachers or caregivers who report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades by early adulthood.