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treatment for add Adhd in adults For adhd in adults characterization diagnosis and treatment

Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for adding. Medications can include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and nonstimulants like atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.

The use of stimulants should not be used by patients with active addiction issues, but they are a possibility for those who are in stable in remission. Combination non pharmacological treatment for adhd with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

Stimulants boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. The majority of doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar medicines. The type of medicine prescribed will depend on the person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medicine. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication become apparent. Improvements in concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and reduced impulse control are all indications that the medicine is working.

Medications in this class can have side effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have an illness like high blood pressure or heart disease should not take these medications. These are highly controlled drugs that are prone to misuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians, neurologists, and in certain circumstances general practitioners can prescribe them. You can find them in the form or tablets, pills patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who are dependent on stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and eating disorders. They can also develop tics when the dose is too high. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from causing a worsening of symptoms.

Around 70 to 80% children and adults with adhd overstimulation treatment are treated with stimulant medication. Most children and young people notice that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is especially the case for children with parents, teachers or carers who have reported improvements.

Royal_College_of_Psychiatrists_logo.pngEarly use of stimulants may reduce the risk of developing substance use disorders in later life. Wilens and colleagues79,80 Katusic as well as colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 have found that treatment with stimulants decreases the risk of developing substance use disorders during adolescence, however that this protective effect wanes as we enter early adulthood.