ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children suffering from ADHD also treat adults. These include medicine, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve the combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the supply of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are medications that boost the body's systems and can cause higher mental alertness and increased physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, as well as prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. In some people long-term use of stimulants can damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system, which can dampen feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include copyright, methamphetamines www.iampsychiatry.com and amphetamines.
These drugs are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the mind that improve concentration, decrease tiredness and increase alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medications can be a short-acting formula taken in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that stays active throughout the duration of the day such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).
The health care team may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. It is crucial to track the effectiveness of medication over time. This can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant medications
Around 15% to 30% of children don't respond to stimulant drugs, and it's likely that this is true for adults as well. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to work and can take up to several weeks to feel any effects. But, they don't come with the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and may be a better option in case you aren't able to take them or are worried about addiction.