It's The Next Big Thing In Treatment For ADD

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Treatment For ADHD

The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine and Atomoxetine. They can also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.

Patients with active issues with addiction should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission may consider them. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. They are both similar drugs. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It can take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and reduced impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.

Some of the side effects can include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure shouldn't take these medications. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians, or in some cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They are available in the treatments for adhd form of tablets or pills or patches that go on the skin, or liquids.

Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and eating disorders. They may also experience tics when the dose is too high. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.

The use of stimulant medications is for around 70 to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. Most children and young people notice that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is particularly true for those with teachers, parents, or carers who can observe improvements.

The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of substance use disorders later in the course of. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman et al83 found that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescence, but the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.