Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for add. The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine. They can also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and Guanfacine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission might take them into consideration. Combination therapy using antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the drug. It may take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become apparent. The medication will be effective when you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can increase heart rate and blood pressure. treating adult add with an illness such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not take them. These are highly controlled drugs with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. They are available in the form or tablets, pills patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience tics when the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will decrease the dosage to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.
Stimulant medication is used by approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers, or caregivers who report improvement.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance abuse disorders during adolescence, however the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.