ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that work for children with ADHD also treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. These treatments could include a combination.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants boost the body's metabolism and can cause increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. These include legal substances like 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, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of satisfaction. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches that are applied to the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the quantity of certain brain chemicals that boost concentration, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. The medications are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or longer-acting formulations that are active throughout the day, such as the methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine.
The health care team may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring treat adhd of medications over time is crucial and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines
Around 15% to 30% of children don't respond to stimulant medications and it's likely that this is true for adults too. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to begin working, and can sometimes take several weeks before you notice the effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of side effects as stimulants and may be a better option in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.