adhd symptoms and treatment Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from the same treatments as children. These treatments include medication as well as counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments can consist of a combination.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the supply of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class including lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are medications that speed up the body's systems and can increase mental alertness and more physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee), nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They may also cause aggression and paranoia. In some people long-term use of stimulants can damage the the brain's dopamine system, which can decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that boost concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or
severe untreated adhd in adults. These medicines are available in a morning-only formula or in longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, such as lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. It is crucial to track the effectiveness of medicines over time. This is an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15%-30% of kids don't respond
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more information) stimulant medications and it's possible that this is the case for adults too. Non-stimulant medications take longer to take effect and it could take as long as a few weeks for you notice any effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of side effects as stimulants, and could be a better choice if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.