ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children with ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. These treatments may comprise a mix of.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase brain chemicals that regulate self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are substances that boost the body's systems and may cause higher levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription medications that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as hypertension, paranoia and aggression. For some long-term use of stimulants may damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system and reduce pleasure feelings. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and improve alertness. Adults suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first by these medications. They are available as the form of a morning-only formulation or a longer-acting formulation that remains active throughout the day, like methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team can also suggest psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's possible that this is true for adults too. treating adult adhd -stimulant drugs take longer to work and may take a few weeks for you feel any effects. However, they don't have the same risk of side effects as stimulants and may be a better choice in case you aren't able to take them or are worried about addiction.