Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They can also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.
The use of stimulants should not be used in patients with active addiction issues, but they can be considered in those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces impulses and hyperactivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become evident. The medicine will work for you if you notice improvement in your concentration, memory sleep, impulsivity, and sleep.
Some of the side effects include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease shouldn't take them. These are highly controlled drugs with the potential for misuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will decrease the dosage to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and adolescents report that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or carers who report improvement.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in the course of. understanding , Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders in adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes as we enter early adulthood.