ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that work for children with ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy), and life skills training. These treatments can include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate, which is available under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family like lisdexamphetamine. It is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are medications that boost the body's system and may result in greater mental alertness and increased physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can trigger overstimulation which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and anxiety and. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available in liquids, patches or pills. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, copyright and amphetamines.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. These medicines may be a quick-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting medicine that remains active throughout the course of the day. Examples include the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital, and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant medications and it's possible that this is true for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and can sometimes take a few weeks before you feel the effects. They do not have the same side effects and are here a better option if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.