ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) as well as life skills training. These treatments can include a combination.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. They include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants boost the body's metabolism and can cause increased mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy, and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation, which can lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They can also trigger anxiety and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of satisfaction. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids, or patches. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants which can be purchased illegally and used to abuse.
The medications in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They function by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue, and improve alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. treating add may be a quick-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that remains active throughout the duration of the day such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).
The health care team can also suggest psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial and can be an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant drugs, and it's likely that this is true for adults as well. Non-stimulant drugs take longer to take effect and it could take as long as several weeks before you notice any effects. However, they don't carry the same danger of having side effects as stimulants and can be a better choice if you can't tolerate them or are worried about addiction.