ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments can consist of a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling self-regulation and attention. They include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class including Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants boost the body's metabolism and can lead to an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include copyright, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the quantity of certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medicines may be a quick-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting medicine that remains active throughout the duration of the day. Examples include lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care provider may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. It is important to monitor the effectiveness of medication over time. This can be challenging.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medications, and this is likely to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to begin working, and can sometimes website take several weeks before you feel the effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and may be a better choice in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.