Don't Believe In These "Trends" Concerning Treatment For ADD
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Treatment For ADHD
The most common treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). These medications include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Stimulant medications should not be used in patients who have active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar medicines. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they react to the drug. It could take between five and seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and less impulse control are all indications that the medication is working.
These medications can have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and they may raise heart rate and blood pressure. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure should not use these medications. They are highly prone for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians, psychiatrists or neurologists, and in certain situations general practitioners can prescribe them. They are available in the form or tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. If this occurs, the doctor will reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.
About 70-80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of children and young people find that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is particularly relevant for children with teachers, parents or caregivers who report improvements.
Early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use adhd in adults treatment disorders in adolescence. However, this protective effect fades by early adulthood.