ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that work for children suffering from ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy), and life skills training. These treatments may consist of a combination.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate, which is sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine, which is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are substances that boost the body's systems and can result in greater mental alertness and more physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety heart palpitations, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of happiness. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches that can be applied to the skin. In adhd symptoms and treatment of legality, abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the quantity of certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a short-acting formula taken in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that stays active in the body for most of the day. Examples include Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).
The health care team might also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital and is an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant drugs, and this is likely true for adults too. Non-stimulant medications take longer to take effect and it can take up to several weeks to begin to notice any effects. However, they don't have the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and may be a better option if you can't tolerate them or are worried about addiction.