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Treatment For ADD Explained In Less Than 140 Characters
Treatment For ADHD

The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). These medications include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.

Stimulant medication should not be used in patients with active substance abuse problems but they are a possibility for those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy with antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.

Stimulants

The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication 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 patient and how they react to it. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and less impulsivity are all signs that the medication is working.


These medications can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and they can raise blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or in certain cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and eating disorders. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.

Stimulant medicines are used for approximately 70-80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. Most children and young people experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is particularly true for those with teachers, parents or caregivers who report improvements.

The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in life. untreated adhd in adults , Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.