There's A Reason Why The Most Common ADD Treatments For Adults Debate Isn't As Black And White As You Think
There's A Reason Why The Most Common ADD Treatments For Adults Debate Isn't As Black And White As You Think
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ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children suffering from ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy), and life skills training. They can also involve some combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the availability of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can result in increased mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription drugs used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can trigger overstimulation which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the adhd symptoms adults treatment brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available in liquids, patches or pills. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, copyright and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. The medications are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, like methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important, and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's possible that this is true for adults too. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to start working, and may take a few weeks before you notice the effects. However, they don't carry the same risk of side effects as stimulants and may be a better choice in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.