ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children suffering from ADHD can also be used to treat adults. adult adhd treatments include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments may include a combination.
Stimulant Medicines
These medications work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling self-regulation and attention. They include methylphenidate available under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine. This is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are drugs that speed up the body's systems and can increase levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can cause overstimulation which can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and paranoia. For some, long-term use of stimulants may damage the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. The stimulants are available in liquids, patches or pills. Cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and abused.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the mind that boost concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. These medicines can be a short-acting formula taken in the morning or a longer-acting drug that stays active throughout the course of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team might also suggest psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medications, and this is likely applicable to adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to begin working, and it can take some time before you begin to notice the effects. However, they don't have the same risk of side effects as stimulants, and could be a better choice in case you aren't able to take them or are worried about addiction.