Treatment For ADHD
The main treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission can look into them. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medicines. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep, and reduced impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
Some of the side effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease should not use them. They are controlled substances that are prone to abuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or in certain cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
made my day and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this situation the doctor will decrease the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
The use of stimulant medications is for about 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is particularly the case for children who have parents, teachers or caregivers who be able to report improvements.
Early use of stimulants could lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during the adolescent period. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.