Be On The Lookout For: How ADD Treatments For Adults Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
ADHD Treatments For AdultsAdults can benefit from the same therapies as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. They can also involve a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine. This is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can lead to increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. These include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids, or patches. Methamphetamines, copyright, and amphetamines are stimulants which can be purchased illegally and used to abuse.
The medications in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and increase alertness. Adults suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. They may be a quick-acting formula used in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that stays active throughout the duration of the day, such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care provider may also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15% to 30% of children do not respond to stimulant medications and this is probably to be the case for adults as read more well. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to begin working, and it can take a few weeks before you notice the effects. They don't have the same negative side effects and are a better choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear of addiction.