Treatment For ADD Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
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Treatment For ADHD
The main treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications include stimulants like methylphenidate, amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They may also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and guanfacine.
Patients who have active issues with substance abuse are not advised to take stimulant medication. However, those who are in stable remission may look into them. Combination therapy using antidepressants particularly SSRIs, is an alternative option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulses. Most doctors prescribe stimulant medications to treat ADHD. They may recommend methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) or amphetamines, which are very similar to each other. The type of medicine prescribed depends on the biochemistry of each person and how they respond to it. It could take up to seven days for the full effects of a medication to become evident. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in your concentration, memory, sleep, and impulsivity.
Medications in this class can cause side effects, such as decreased appetite and trouble sleeping, and may increase blood pressure and heart rate. Patients with medical conditions, such as more info heart disease or high blood pressure should not take these medications. The stimulants have a high risk for abuse and are closely controlled drugs. Only psychiatrists or paediatricians or in certain cases general practitioners, may prescribe stimulants. You can find them in the form of pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or in liquids.
Children and adolescents who take stimulants frequently experience problems with appetite and weight loss. They can also develop symptoms of tics if the dosage is too high. In this instance the doctor will decrease the dose to prevent the drug from causing more symptoms.
Around 70 to 80% children and adults with ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. A majority of children and young adults notice that their symptoms improve with treatment. This is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who report improvement.
The early use of stimulants can lower the risk of developing substance use disorders later on in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83, found that stimulant therapy reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders during the adolescent years. However, this protective effect fades in the early years of adulthood.