ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children with ADHD can also be used to treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. treating adult add could also include some combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medications
These medications work by increasing brain chemicals that regulate self-regulation and attention. These include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group, such as Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) 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 heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids or patches. Methamphetamines, cocaine, and amphetamines are stimulants which can be purchased illegally and used to abuse.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain brain chemicals that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and boost alertness. Adults suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. They are available as a morning-only formula or in longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, such as methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care provider may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital, and can be a complex 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 start working, and can sometimes take some time before you begin to notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same danger of having side effects as stimulants, and could be a better option in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.
