Treatment For ADD: It's Not As Difficult As You Think
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Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They also include nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used in patients with active substance abuse issues, however they are a possibility for those who are in stable recovery. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in brain synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar medications. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a person's biochemistry as well as how well they respond to the drug. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become visible. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and a decrease in impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
These medications can have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can raise blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure should not use these medications. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and eating disorders. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. In this case, the doctor will how to get adhd treatment reduce the dose to stop the symptoms from getting worse.
Stimulant medication is used by about 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. A majority of children and young adults experience improvement in their symptoms through treatment. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can report improvements.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in the course of. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during adolescence. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.