ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that are effective for children with ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. They could also include some combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group like the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause increased mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription medicines used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension, paranoia and aggression. add treatment for adults -term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
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. webpage with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. They are available as a morning-only formula or in a longer-acting formulation that remains active throughout the day, such as lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important and is an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15% to 30% of children do not respond to stimulant medications, and this is likely applicable to adults as well. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to kick in and could take as long as several weeks before you begin to notice any effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and can be a better choice if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.