Ten Things You've Learned In Kindergarden That'll Help You With Treatment For ADD
Treatment For ADHD
The main treatments for adding are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). These medications include stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, clonidine, guanfacine and viloxazine.
Patients with active substance abuse issues shouldn't take stimulant drugs. However, those in stable remission may take them into consideration. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain's synapses. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity as well as impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines which are similar medicines. The kind of medicine prescribed is based on the biochemistry of each patient and how they respond to it. It can take five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. Increased concentration, improved memory, improved sleep, and a decrease in impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.
These medications can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may increase blood pressure and heart rate. People with medical conditions, like heart disease or high blood pressure, should not use them. Stimulants are tightly controlled drugs with the potential for misuse. Only psychiatrists or pediatricians or in certain cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They can be found in the form of tablets or pills, a patch that goes on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who consume stimulants are often afflicted with appetite issues and weight loss. They may also experience tics when the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dosage to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
About 70-80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medications. The majority of adolescents and children find that their symptoms get better when treated. This is especially true for those who have parents, teachers or carers who report improvement.
The early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing addiction disorders later in life. treatment for add , Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades as we enter early adulthood.