Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for adding. These medications include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may consider them. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are apparent. The medicine will work when you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Some people who have an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease should not use these medications. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or in certain cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. find out here may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers or caregivers who be able to report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in the course of. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk for substance use disorders in adolescence, but the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.