20 Myths About ADD Treatments For Adults: Busted
ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children suffering from ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy), and life skills training. They could also include a combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that regulate self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate, sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta as well as stimulants belonging to the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine. This is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are medications that stimulate the body's systems and can cause higher mental alertness and increased physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, as well as prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure as well as paranoia and aggression. For some, long-term use of stimulants can damage the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants can be taken in pill form, liquids or patches that can be applied to the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They work by boosting certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce tiredness and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a formula that acts quickly that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting medicine that remains active throughout the course of the day, such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team can also suggest psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring how you can help of medication over time is important and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15%-30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant drugs and this is probably applicable to adults as well. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to kick in and may take several weeks to begin to notice any effects. They don't have the same side effects and are a better option for those who are unable to tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.