Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. The drugs include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They can also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and Guanfacine.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, better sleep and a decrease in impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may raise heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure shouldn't take them. They are highly prone for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists, or in some cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form or tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. When the dose is too high, they may also develop tics. In this situation the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
treatment of adhd in adults of stimulant medications is for approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk for drug use disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during adolescence. However this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.