10 Misconceptions Your Boss Has About Treatment For ADD

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Treatment For ADHD

The most effective treatments for add are medication and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine and atomoxetine. They also include non-stimulants, such as clonidine and guanfacine.

Stimulant medications should not be used by patients with active substance abuse problems but they are an option for those who are in stable recovery. Combination therapy using antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.

Stimulants

Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between synapses in the brain. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. The majority of doctors prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin) or amphetamines. Both are similar medications. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each individual and how they react to it. It could take anywhere from five to seven days before the full effects of the medication are visible. Increased concentration, improved memory, better sleep, and less impulsivity are all signs that the medicine is working.

Medications in this class can have adverse effects, including diminished appetite and trouble sleeping, and they may raise blood pressure and heart rate. People suffering from medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure should not take them. These are highly controlled drugs that are prone to abuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or, in some instances general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form or tablets, pills patches, or patches that are applied to the skin or in liquids.

Children and adolescents who take stimulants are often afflicted by weight loss and a lack of appetite. If the dosage is excessive, they could also develop symptoms of tics. In this instance, the doctor will reduce the dose to prevent the drug from worsening symptoms.

Stimulant medicines are used for about 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD. A majority of children and young adults find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly relevant for children who have parents, teachers, or caregivers who have reported improvements.

Early use of stimulants can reduce the risk of check here substance use disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82, and Biederman, et al83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However the protective effect diminishes by early adulthood.