Treatment For ADD It's Not As Hard As You Think
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Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission may look into them. Combination therapy with antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine between brain synapses. This improves concentration and decreases hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medication from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on the person's biochemistry as well as how well they respond to the medicine. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep, and reduced the tendency to be impulsive are all adhd symptoms treatment indications that the medicine is working.
Some of the side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Certain people with an illness, such as high blood pressure or heart disease shouldn't take them. These are highly controlled drugs with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians, or in some cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of pills or tablets or patches that go on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants often suffer from weight loss and eating disorders. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
About 70% to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. Most children and young people notice that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. This is especially relevant for children with teachers, parents, or carers who can be able to report improvements.
Early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in the course of. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman et al83 found that stimulant treatment reduces the risk of developing substance abuse disorders during adolescence, however the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.