Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or Guanfacine.
Patients with active issues with addiction are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those in stable remission may look into them. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar to each other. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they react to it. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Improved concentration, better memory, improved sleep, and a decrease in impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
Medications in this class can have side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Some people with a medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. They can also develop tics when the dose is too high. If add natural treatment occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. Most children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is especially the case for children who have parents, teachers, or carers who can observe improvements.
The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman et al83 found that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescents, but that this protective effect wanes as we enter early adulthood.