ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same therapies as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. They may also involve some combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. adhd adults treatment include methylphenidate sold as Ritalin and Concerta as well as stimulants belonging to the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine, which is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants speed up the body and can result in increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in coffee and tea), nicotine, and prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as hypertension, aggression and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of happiness. The stimulants are available in liquids, patches or pills. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and improve alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medications can be a short-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting drug that stays active throughout the course of the day such as 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 is an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant medications
About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medications, and this is likely applicable to adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to start working, and can sometimes take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. They don't come with the same adverse effects, and are a better choice when you are not able to take stimulants or fear addiction.