ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that are effective for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medication and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They can also involve some combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medicines
These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. These include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group like the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are substances that speed up the body's systems and may cause higher mental alertness and increased physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, as well as prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as high blood pressure, paranoia and aggression. In adhd untreated in adults , long-term use of stimulants may damage the functioning of the dopamine system in the brain and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants which can be purchased illegally and abused.
The medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. They can be a formula that acts quickly taken in the morning or a longer-acting medicine that stays active in the body for most of the day such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important, and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant medications
About 15%-30% of kids do not respond to stimulants and it's possible that this is true for adults too. Non-stimulant medicines are slower to begin working, and it can take some time before you begin to notice the effects. However, they don't carry the same danger of having side effects as stimulants, and could be a better option if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.
