The Three Greatest Moments In ADD Treatments For Adults History

ADHD Treatments For Adults

Adults are able to benefit from many of the same treatments as children. These include medicine, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They can also involve the combination of these therapies.

Stimulant Medicines

These medications work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. treating add include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medications

Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, paranoia and aggression. For some long-term, use of stimulants may damage the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.

Medications in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. They are available as an all-day formula or longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, like lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.

The health care team may also suggest psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital, and can be an extremely difficult task.

Non-stimulant Medications

About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant medications, and it's likely that this is the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to begin working, and it can take several weeks before you notice the effects. However, they don't carry the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants, and could be a better option in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.

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Pub: 25 Apr 2024 10:10 UTC
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