A Retrospective: How People Talked About ADD Treatments For Adults 20 Years Ago

ADHD Treatments For Adults

Many of the same treatments that are effective for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve the combination of these treatments.

Stimulant Medicines

These medications work by increasing the brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. These include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medications

Stimulants are medications that speed up the body's system and may increase mental alertness and increased physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription medicines used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can trigger overstimulation which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They may also cause anxiety and anxiety and. For some long-term, use of stimulants may damage the the brain's dopamine system, which can reduce pleasure feelings. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and abused.

The medications in this class are known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. They can be a short-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a more prolonged-acting medication that remains active throughout the duration of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin).

The health care team might also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring  More Tips  of medication over time is vital and is an extremely difficult task.

Non-stimulant medications

Around 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulants and it's possible that this is the case for adults too. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to begin working, and it can take a few weeks before you begin to notice the effects. They don't come with the same negative side effects and are a better choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.