ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children suffering from ADHD also treat adults. These include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments may comprise a mix of.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
understanding increase the body's energy and can cause increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription medicines used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can cause overstimulation, which can result in 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, reducing feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. They can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that remains active in the body for most of the day. Examples include Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care team might also suggest psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of medications over time. This can be a difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15% to 30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant medication and this is probably to be the case for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to start 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 choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear of addiction.