ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. These treatments can comprise a mix of.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group including the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants speed up the body and can result in increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription medicines that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension, paranoia and aggression. For some, long-term use of stimulants can damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system and dampen feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten from a criminal and then used.
adult add treatments in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. The medications are available in an all-day formula or longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, for example the methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. It is important to monitor the effectiveness of medications over time. This is a difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15% to 30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and this is probably true for adults too. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and it can take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. They don't come with the same adverse effects, and are a better choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear of addiction.