ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from the same treatments as children. These treatments include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments can include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. These include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class like lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants speed up the body and can lead to an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, as well as prescription medications 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 anxiety and anxiety and. In some people, long-term use of stimulants can damage the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and reduce pleasure feelings. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids or patches. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be purchased illegally and used to abuse.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They work by increasing certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue and improve alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. The medications are available in a morning-only formula or in longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, like methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring add treatment for adults of medications over time is vital and is an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant medications
Around 15%-30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant drugs, and this is likely to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to kick in and can take up to several weeks to notice any effects. However, they don't carry the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants, and could be a better option for those who are unable to tolerate them or are worried about addiction.