ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from many of the same treatments that children receive. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments may include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. They include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group including lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are substances that boost the body's system and may increase mental alertness and more physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, as well as prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They may also cause aggression and paranoia. For adhd adults treatment -term usage of stimulants can harm the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and used to abuse.
The drugs in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the quantity of certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medications can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that is active throughout the course of the day, such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team might also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial and is an extremely complex process.
adhd treatments adults -stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
Around 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulants and it's likely that this is true for adults too. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to kick in and could take as long as several weeks before you feel any effects. They don't come with the same side effects and are a better choice when you are not able to take stimulants or fear of addiction.