Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add ing. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active addiction issues, but they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and decreases impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. These are both very similar medications. The type prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the medication. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and a decrease in the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medication is working.
Some of the side effects can include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Info who have a medical condition such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not take them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. When the dose is too high, they can also develop tics. In this instance the doctor will decrease the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. A majority of children and young adults experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can be able to report improvements.
The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.