ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that work for children suffering from ADHD can also be used to treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve a combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. These include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are drugs that boost the body's systems and can increase mental alertness and more physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, as well as prescription medications that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. In some people long-term use of stimulants may damage the functioning of the brain's dopamine system, which can reduce pleasure feelings. Stimulants are available in liquids, patches or pills. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be gotten illegally and abused.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They work by boosting certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and improve alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. adhd in adults treatment can be a formula that acts quickly that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting drug that is active throughout the course of the day, such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care provider may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important, and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant medications
Around 15% to 30% of children don't respond to stimulant medications, and it's likely that this is true for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications are slower to begin working, and it can take a few weeks before you feel the effects. However, they don't have the same danger of having side effects as stimulants, and could be a better choice if you can't tolerate the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.