Watch Out: How Treatment For ADD Is Taking Over The World And What We Can Do About It

Treatment For ADHD

The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They also include nonstimulants, like clonidine and Guanfacine.

Stimulant medication are not recommended for patients with active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is another option.

Stimulants


Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medicines. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the person's biochemistry as well as how well they react to the medication. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medication is working.

Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure should not use these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some situations general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.

IamPsychiatry and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.

About 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers, or caregivers who report improvement.

Early use of stimulants could lower the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescence, but the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.

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Pub: 24 Apr 2024 09:29 UTC
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