ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that are effective for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medication and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments can include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. These include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group, such as lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are substances that speed up the body's system and may cause higher mental alertness and increased physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, as well as prescription drugs that 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 can also trigger aggression and anxiety and. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of pleasure. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids, or patches that go on the skin. In treatment for adult add of legality, abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They work by increasing certain chemicals in the brain that boost concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines may be a quick-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting medicine that remains active throughout the duration of the day. Examples include the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care team can also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or education. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of medicines over time. This is an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant medications and it's possible that this is true for adults too. Non-stimulant medicines are slower to begin working, and it can take several weeks before you feel the effects. However, they don't have the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and can be a better choice in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.