Treatment For ADD's History History Of Treatment For ADD

Treatment For ADHD

Psychosocial therapy is the primary treatment for add. These medications include stimulants like methylphenidate and amphetamine, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.

Patients who have active issues with substance abuse are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission can take them into consideration. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves concentration and decreases impulses and hyperactivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on the person's biochemistry as well as how well they react to the medication. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are evident. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and a decrease in impulse control are all indications that the medication is working.

untreated adhd in adults  of the side effects include decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure should not use them. They are controlled substances with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or in certain cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets, pills, patches that go on the skin or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. They may also experience symptoms of tics if the dose is too high. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to stop the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.

About 70-80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve when they receive treatment. This is especially true for those with parents, teachers or caregivers who report improvements.

The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders in later life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance addiction disorders during adolescence. However, this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.