5 Laws Anyone Working In Treatment For ADD Should Be Aware Of
Treatment For ADHD
The main treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications contain stimulants such as methylphenidate, amphetamine, and Atomoxetine. They may also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used by patients who have active substance abuse problems but they can be considered in those who are in stable in remission. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate, (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. They are both similar drugs. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It may take up to seven days for full effects of a medication to be apparent. Improved concentration, better memory, better sleep and a decrease in impulsivity are all signs that the medication is working.
Some of the side effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. how to treat adhd iampsychiatry.uk with medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or in certain cases, general practitioners, can prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who are taking stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. If the dosage is too high, they may also develop symptoms of tics. If this occurs, the doctor might reduce the dosage to prevent the drug from causing worsening of symptoms.
Stimulant medication is used by about 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially the case for children who have teachers, parents or caregivers who observe improvements.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that treatment with stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance use disorders in adolescence, but that this protective effect wanes by early adulthood.