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. These treatments can comprise a mix of.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. These include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group including Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
natural add treatment increase the body's energy and can lead to an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as hypertension, aggression and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of happiness. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. Cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be obtained illegally and abused.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They work by increasing certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease tiredness and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these medications. These medicines are available in a morning-only formula or in longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, like the methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team can also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and this is probably to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines are slower to begin working, and can sometimes take several weeks before you begin to notice the effects. They do not have the same side effects and are a better option for those who are unable to tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.