ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy), and life skills training. They could also include a combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medicines
These drugs work by increasing brain chemicals that regulate attention and self regulation. add adult treatment include methylphenidate, sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family such as lisdexamphetamine, which is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are medications that speed up the body's systems and can result in greater mental alertness and more physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, as well as prescription medications used to 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, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of happiness. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches that can be applied to the skin. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be purchased illegally and abused.
These drugs are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They work by boosting certain chemicals in the brain that boost concentration, decrease tiredness and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. These medicines are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or longer-acting formulations that remain active throughout the day, such as methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is vital and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant medications and it's likely that this is the case for adults too. Non-stimulant medicines are slower to begin working, and may take a few weeks before you notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants, and could be a better option if you can't tolerate them or are worried about addiction.