Treatment For adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment
The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They can also be non medical treatment for adhd-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.Patients with active substance abuse issues should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission can consider them. Combination therapy using antidepressants particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It can take up to seven days for full long-term effects of untreated adhd in adults of a drug to be apparent. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and less the tendency to be impulsive are all indications that the medication is working.
These medications can have side effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have an illness such as high blood pressure or heart disease, should not take them. They are controlled substances that are prone to abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in some situations general practitioners can prescribe them. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants often suffer from weight loss and a lack of appetite. They may also experience disorders when the dosage is too high. In this instance the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
Around 70 to 80% children and adults with treating adhd are treated with stimulant drugs. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers or carers who report improvement.
The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of substance use disorders later on in the course of. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.
