ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that are effective for children with ADHD can also be used to treat adults. These include medicine, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments may include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. natural add treatment include methylphenidate, sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family like lisdexamphetamine. It is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
treat adult adhd increase the body's energy and can lead to increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of happiness. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
Medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that stays active throughout the duration of the day such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care team could also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial, and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulant drugs, 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 side effects as stimulants and can be a better option if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.