ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. They could also include a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. treat adult add include methylphenidate, which is sold as Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine, which is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are substances that speed up the body's system and may result in greater levels of alertness in the mind and greater 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 can create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. For some long-term, use of stimulants can damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system, which can dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
Medications in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medications can be a formula that acts quickly that is taken in the morning, or a more prolonged-acting medication that stays active throughout the duration of the day such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. It is crucial to track the effectiveness of medications over time. This can be challenging.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15% to 30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant drugs, and this is likely applicable to adults as well. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to take effect and it could take as long as several weeks to notice any effects. But, treating add don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants, and could be a better choice if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.