A Productive Rant Concerning Treatment For ADD

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 can also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and Guanfacine.

The use of stimulants should not be used in patients who have active addiction issues, but they are an option for those who are in stable remission. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they respond to the drug. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medicine is working.

Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate.  adhd adult treatment  with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, shouldn't take them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.

Children and adolescents who take stimulants often suffer from weight loss and appetite problems. They may also experience disorders when 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. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is particularly relevant for children who have parents, teachers, or caregivers that can report improvements.

Early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk for substance use disorders during adolescence, however the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.