ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments that children receive. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy), and life skills training. These treatments could consist of a combination.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate, available under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine. This is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants boost the body's metabolism and can result in increased mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can cause overstimulation which can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They may also cause aggression and paranoia. In some people, long-term use of stimulants may damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system, which can decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. The stimulants are available as liquids, patches or pills. copyright, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants that can be obtained illegally and used to abuse.
Medications in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the quantity of certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these medications. These medications may be a quick-acting formula taken in the morning or a longer-acting medicine that is active throughout the duration of the day. Examples include lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care provider may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is vital, and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15% to 30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medication This is also to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines read more take longer to start working, and can sometimes take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants, and could be a better option for those who are unable to tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.