Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Treatment For ADD

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Treatment For ADHD

Psychosocial therapy is the main treatment for add. The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.

Patients who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission might consider them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is a different option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a drug to be apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, improved sleep, and a decrease in impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.

Some of the side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use these medications. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form or pills, tablets patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or liquids.

Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often affected by weight loss and appetite problems. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and young people notice that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is especially relevant for children who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who report improvement.

The early use of stimulants may reduce untreated adhd in adults depression the risk of substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.