ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include the combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medicines
These medications work by increasing the supply of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. These include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants speed up the body and can result in increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription drugs that treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation, which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and paranoia. For some long-term use of stimulants can damage the the brain's dopamine system and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches that can be applied to the skin. In treatment of add of legality, abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that stays active in the body for most of the day such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important and is an extremely difficult task.
treatment of add in adults -stimulant medications
About 15% to 30% of children do not respond to stimulant medication and this is probably applicable to adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to take effect and it may take several weeks to feel any effects. They do not have the same negative side effects and are a better option for those who are unable to tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.