Treatment For ADHD
The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). Medications can include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Stimulant medication should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory, sleep, and impulsivity.
The medicines in this class may have adverse effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise heart rate and blood pressure. Certain people with medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who consume stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to stop the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.
treatment for adults with add is used by around 70 to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. treatment of add in adults of children and adolescents report that their symptoms improve when treated. This is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers, or caregivers that can report improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk for substance use disorders in later life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders in the adolescent period. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.