ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children with ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication as well as counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They can also involve a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase brain chemicals that regulate self-regulation and attention. add treatments for adults include methylphenidate, available under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine, which is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause increased mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in coffee and tea) nicotine, as well as prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of satisfaction. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids, or patches that can be applied to the skin. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medications may be a quick-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a more prolonged-acting medication that remains active throughout the course of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team could also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. It is important to monitor the effectiveness of medicines over time. This can be challenging.
Non-stimulant medications
Around 15%-30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant medications, and this is likely to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to begin working, and can sometimes take several weeks before you begin to notice the 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.