ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include the combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. They include methylphenidate sold as Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine, which is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the body's systems and may increase levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in coffee and tea) nicotine, prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure as well as paranoia and aggression. adult add treatments -term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of happiness. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that can be applied to the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work 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 drugs. These medicines may be a quick-acting formula taken in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that remains active throughout the course of the day. Examples include the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team might also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's possible that this is the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to kick in and can take up to a few weeks for you notice any effects. But, they don't come with the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and may be a better option if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.