Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active addiction issues, but they are a possibility 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 decreases the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on a individual's biochemistry and how well they react to the medication. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become evident. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medicine is working.
Some of the adverse effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with an illness such as high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take them. They are highly prone for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants often suffer from weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience tics when the dose is too high. In this instance the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
The use of stimulant medications is for approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. Continue Reading is especially relevant for children with parents, teachers, or carers who can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during the adolescent period. However this protective effect fades by early adulthood.