17 Signs To Know You Work With Treatment For ADD

Treatment For ADHD

The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.

The use of stimulants should not be used in patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable recovery. treat adult add using antidepressants particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. They are both similar medications. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they respond to the medicine. It could take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.

These medications can cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and may increase heart rate and blood pressure. Some people with an illness such as high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.

Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. When the dose is too high, they may also develop the tics. In this situation the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.

Stimulant medication is used by approximately 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. Most children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms when they receive treatment. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.


The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on 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 adolescents, but the protective effect diminishes as we enter early adulthood.

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Pub: 25 Apr 2024 15:03 UTC

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