ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same therapies as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include some combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that regulate self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants boost the body's metabolism and can lead to increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, as well as prescription medications that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can trigger overstimulation which can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids, or patches. copyright, methamphetamines, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be purchased illegally and used to abuse.
The drugs in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that boost concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these medications. These medications can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that remains active throughout the course of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care team could also suggest psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or education. It is IamPsychiatry crucial to track the effectiveness of medication over time. This can be a difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15%-30% of kids do not respond to stimulants and it's likely that this is the case for adults too. Non-stimulant medications are slower to begin working, and can sometimes take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and may be a better choice if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.