ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children suffering from ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medicines
These medications work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group, such as the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are substances that boost the body's system and may cause higher mental alertness and increased physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription medications that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety heart palpitations, high blood pressure as well as paranoia and aggression. In some people long-term, usage of stimulants can harm the functioning of the brain's dopamine system and reduce pleasure feelings. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that are applied to the skin. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. adult adhd treatment suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. These medications can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that stays active throughout the course of the day such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team may also suggest psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15%-30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant medication and this is probably to be the case for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to start working, and can sometimes take some time before you notice the effects. However, they don't have the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and can be a better choice if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.