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Treatment For ADD It's Not As Hard As You Think
Treatment For ADHD

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

Patients with active issues with addiction should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may look into them. adult treatment for adhd with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.


Stimulants

Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. It could take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to become evident. The medication will be effective when you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.

Some of the side effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, shouldn't take them. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and appetite problems. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.

Around 70 to 80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. This is particularly relevant for children with parents, teachers or caregivers who report improvements.

Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk of developing drug use disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.