ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments that children receive. These include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve some combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medicines
These medications work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group like lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants speed up the body and can cause an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and 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 anxiety and. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of happiness. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be purchased from a criminal and then used.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. treating adhd in adults are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or a longer-acting formulation that remains active throughout the day, for example methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also suggest psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. It is important to monitor the effectiveness of medications over time. This is a difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant medications and it's likely that this is the case for adults too. Non-stimulant drugs take longer to work and could take as long as several weeks to begin to notice any effects. However, they don't have the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and can be a better option for those who are unable to tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.