Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine. They also include nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medication should not be used in patients who have active addiction issues, but they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each patient and how they react to it. treatment of add can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will be effective for you if you notice improvement in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with a potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form or tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. When the dose is too high, they can also develop the tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
Around 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is particularly relevant for children with parents, teachers or caregivers who be able to report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that stimulant treatment reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescence, but the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.