ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from many of the same treatments as children. These include medicine, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They can also involve the combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase the availability of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate, sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family such as lisdexamphetamine. This is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are substances that boost the body's systems and can result in greater mental alertness and more physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as high blood pressure as well as paranoia and aggression. In find out here -term use of stimulants may damage the the dopamine system in the brain and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that can be applied to the skin. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be obtained from a criminal and then used.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce tiredness and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these medications. These medicines are available in an all-day formula or longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, for example lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.
The health care team could also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important and is an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's possible that this is true for adults too. Non-stimulant medications take longer to start working, and may take some time before you notice the effects. However, they don't have the same risk of side effects as stimulants and may be a better option if you can't tolerate them or are worried about addiction.
