ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments that children receive. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments could include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate, sold as Ritalin and Concerta as well as stimulants belonging to the amphetamine family such as lisdexamphetamine, which is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. These include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, as well as prescription drugs used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can trigger overstimulation which can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They can also trigger aggression and anxiety and. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of satisfaction. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches that go on the skin. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and used to abuse.
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 that boost concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these medications. They are available as the form of a morning-only formulation or longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, such as the methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team could also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital, and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15%-30% of kids do not respond to stimulants and it's likely that this is the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to start working, and can sometimes take several weeks before you notice the effects. But, i loved this don't come with the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and may be a better choice if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.