ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults can benefit from the same treatments as children. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. I Am Psychiatry can also involve the combination of these treatments.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the availability of certain brain chemicals that help control self-regulation and attention. They include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group like the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can lead to an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added to tea and coffee) and nicotine, and prescription medicines that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety and heart palpitations, as well as hypertension, paranoia and aggression. In some people long-term use of stimulants may damage the the dopamine system in the brain and decrease pleasure-seeking feelings. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and improve alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. They can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting drug that is active throughout the course of the day, such as Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care team can also suggest psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is vital and can be an extremely difficult task.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
About 15%-30% of kids don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's likely that this is true for adults as well. The non-stimulant drugs take longer to start working, and can sometimes take some time before you begin to notice the effects. They don't have the same side effects and are a better choice when you are not able to take stimulants or are afraid of addiction.