ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments that children receive. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy), and life skills training. These treatments can include a combination.
Stimulant Medicines
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family such as lisdexamphetamine. holistic treatment for adhd is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are drugs that boost the body's system and may increase mental alertness and increased physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure as well as paranoia and aggression. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of satisfaction. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
Medications in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that boost concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these medications. They can be a short-acting formula taken in the morning or a longer-acting drug that remains active in the body for most of the day such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial, and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
Around 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and this is probably to be the case for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to start working, and may take some time before you feel the effects. They do not have the same side effects and are a better choice for those who are unable to tolerate stimulants or fear of addiction.