Sibyl Biehl

ADHD Treatments For Adults

Adults can benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. They can also involve a combination of these treatments.

Stimulant Medications

These drugs work by increasing the brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class including the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medicines

Stimulants speed up the body and can lead where to get treated for adhd increased mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription drugs 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. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of happiness. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines.

These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They work by increasing certain chemicals in the mind that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the first line evidence based treatment for adhd in adults for adults suffering from ADD or adhd overstimulation treatment. They can be a formula that acts quickly used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that is active throughout the duration of the day, such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).

The health care provider may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is vital, and can be a complex task.

Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants

About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant medications and it's likely that this is true for adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines are slower ways to treat adhd begin working, and it can take several weeks before you begin to notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and can be a better option if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.