Watch Out: How ADD Treatments For Adults Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments as children. These treatments include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. These include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are substances that stimulate the body's systems and may result in greater levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee), nicotine, and prescription drugs used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and abused.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. adhd treatment adults function by increasing certain chemicals in the mind that boost concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. They are available as an all-day formula or longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, such as the methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulant drugs and this is probably true for adults too. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and it can take several weeks before you feel the effects. However, they don't have the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and may be a better option if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.