Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Treatment For ADD
Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. Medications can include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active addiction issues, but they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces the intensity of impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medicines. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It could take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become evident. The medication will be effective when you notice improvements in your concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
The medicines in this class may cause side effects, such as reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and may increase heart rate and blood pressure. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure should not use them. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.
adhd in adults treatment and adolescents who consume stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they can also develop tics. In this case the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
Stimulant medicines are used for about 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is particularly true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who report improvement.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk for substance use disorders in later life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that stimulant treatment reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescents, but that this protective effect wanes in the early years of adulthood.