Many Of The Common Errors People Make With Treatment For ADD

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Treatment For ADHD

The main treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.

Patients who have active issues with substance abuse should not take stimulant medications. However, those who are in stable remission might consider them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the drug. It may take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become evident. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep and reduced impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.

The medicines in this class may have side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Some people with an illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease should not take these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form of tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.

Children and adolescents who consume stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. When the dose is too high, they read more can also develop symptoms of tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.

Stimulant medicines are used for approximately 70-80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can observe improvements.

Early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.