ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from many of the same treatments that children receive. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. They may also involve a combination of these treatments.
adhd adults treatment increase brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. They include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group including lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are medications that boost the body's systems and can increase levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They may also cause aggression and paranoia. In some people long-term, use of stimulants can damage the the brain's dopamine system and decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults suffering from 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 recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy or education. adhd in adults treatment is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of medicines over time. This is an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's likely that this is the case for adults too. adhd treatments adults -stimulant medications take longer to start working, and can sometimes take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of side effects as stimulants and can be a better option for those who are unable to tolerate them or are worried about addiction.