ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medicine, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments can consist of a combination.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate available under the brand names Ritalin and Concerta, and stimulants in the amphetamine family, such as lisdexamphetamine. This is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee), nicotine, and prescription drugs that treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants they can cause overstimulation which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and paranoia. For some, long-term usage of stimulants can harm the functioning of the brain's dopamine system and dampen feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
They are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and improve alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. These medicines can be a formula that acts quickly taken in the morning or a longer-acting drug that stays active throughout the duration of the day such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care provider may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring natural add treatment of medications over time is crucial and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15%-30 percentage of children don't respond to stimulant medication, and this is likely applicable to adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines are slower to begin working, and can sometimes take some time before you feel the effects. They don't have the same side effects and are a better choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear addiction.