ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that work for children with ADHD can also be used to treat adults. These include medicine as well as counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve the combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase the brain chemicals that control self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class including lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants speed up the body and can cause an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in coffee and tea) nicotine, as well as prescription drugs that treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension, paranoia and aggression. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of happiness. Stimulants can be taken in pill form, liquids or patches that go on the skin. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals that boost concentration, reduce fatigue and increase alertness. Adults suffering from ADD and ADHD are treated first by these medications. These medicines can be a formula that acts quickly taken in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that remains active throughout the course of the day such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
adult add treatment might also recommend psychosocial interventions, such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial, and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medicines
About 15% to 30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant medications, and this is likely to be the case for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs are slower to begin working, and can sometimes take some time before you feel the effects. They don't come with the same negative side effects and are a better option when you are not able to take stimulants or are afraid of addiction.