Treatment For ADHD
The most effective treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, as well as nonstimulants like atomoxetine, viloxazine, guanfacine, and clonidine.
Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active addiction issues, but they can be considered in those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants, especially SSRIs, is another option.
add treatment natural iampsychiatry.uk increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain's synapses. This improves focus and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are similar to each other. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each individual and how they respond to it. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.
Some of the side effects can include a decrease in appetite, trouble sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease should not take them. Stimulants have a high potential for abuse and are tightly controlled drugs. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists, or in some cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form of tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who consume stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
Around 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. The majority of children and adolescents find that their symptoms improve after being treated. This is especially true for those with parents, teachers, or carers who can be able to report improvements.
The early use of stimulants may reduce the risk of addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders during adolescence. However this protective effect fades by early adulthood.