Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Stimulant medication are not recommended for patients with active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medicines. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the medicine. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become evident. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the adverse effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, shouldn't take them. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. You can get them in the form of tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They can also develop disorders when the dosage is too high. In this case, the doctor will reduce the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of substance use disorders later in life. IamPsychiatry , Katusic, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during adolescence. However, this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.