20 Things You Must Be Educated About Treatment For ADD

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Treatment For ADHD

The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine and atomoxetine. They can also be non-stimulants like clonidine or guanfacine.

Stimulant medications should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type of medication prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medicine. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. The medicine will be effective when you notice improvements in memory, concentration sleep, and impulsivity.

These medications can have side effects, including decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may raise blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not use them. They are controlled substances that are prone to misuse. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in some situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often affected by weight loss and a lack of appetite. They can also develop disorders when the dose is too high. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.

About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can observe improvements.

The early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80, Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered when adhd goes untreated that stimulant treatment reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders in adolescents, but the protective effect diminishes as we enter early adulthood.