graversenrussell189231

ADHD Treatments For Adults

Many of the same therapies that work for children with ADHD can also be used to treat adults. https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adhd-treatment-for-adults/ include counseling, medication (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They can also involve the combination of these therapies.

Stimulant Medications

These medications work by increasing the brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. They include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medicines

img width="390" src="">
Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the body's systems and may result in greater mental alertness and more physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in coffee and tea) nicotine, as well as prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as high blood pressure as well as paranoia and aggression. In some people long-term use of stimulants may damage the the dopamine system in the brain and decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants which can be obtained illegally and used to abuse.

The medications 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 improve concentration, decrease fatigue and increase alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a formula that acts quickly that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting medicine that remains active in the body for most of the day, such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).

The health care team can also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important and can be an extremely complex process.

Non-stimulant medications

About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medication and this is probably to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant drugs take longer to take effect and it can take up to several weeks to feel any effects. They don't come with the same side effects and are a better choice when you are not able to take stimulants or fear of addiction.