adhd treatment for adults For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children suffering from ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve a combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medicines
These medications work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants belonging to the amphetamine group including the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants are drugs that speed up the body's systems and can cause higher mental alertness and more physical activity. These include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription drugs used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. For some long-term, use of stimulants may damage the the brain's dopamine system and dampen feelings of pleasure. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
These drugs are also known as central nervous system stimulants. They work by boosting certain chemicals in the mind which improve concentration, reduce fatigue and improve alertness. Adults suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. These medications can be a short-acting formula taken in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that remains active throughout the course of the day. Examples include Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team can also recommend psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is important and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medications
Around 15% to 30% of children do not respond to stimulants, and it's likely that this is the case for adults as well. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to kick in and could take as long as several weeks to feel any effects. They do not have the same negative side effects and are a better choice when you are not able to take stimulants or fear of addiction.