adhd symptoms in Adults treatment Treatments For Adults

Many of the same methods that work for children with ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve a combination of these therapies.

Stimulant Medications

These drugs work by increasing the supply of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class like the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medicines

Stimulants speed up the body and can result in increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in coffee and tea) nicotine, as well as prescription drugs that treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as high blood pressure, paranoia and aggression. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of pleasure. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin. Cocaine, methamphetamines, and amphetamines are stimulants that can be purchased illegally and used to abuse.

These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They function by increasing certain chemicals in the mind which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the first line of evidence based treatment for adhd in adults for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medicines may be a quick-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting drug that is active in the body for most of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).

The health care team may also recommend psychosocial interventions like psychotherapy or education. It is important to monitor the effectiveness of medicines over time. This can be an extremely difficult task.

Non-stimulant Medicines

Around 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulants and it's likely that this is the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to begin working, and it can take some time before you feel 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.