It's The Next Big Thing In Treatment For ADD

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Treatment For ADHD

The main treatment options for add are medications and psychosocial therapy (psychotherapy). The medications can include stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, and non-stimulants like atomoxetine and viloxazine, guanfacine, clonidine and gu.

Stimulant medications are not recommended for patients with active addiction issues, but they are a possibility for those who are in stable in remission. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.

Stimulants

The effects of stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine that are released between brain synapses. This improves concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe stimulant drugs to treat ADHD. They might prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. These are both very similar drugs. The dosage of the medicine is contingent on the biochemistry of each person and how they react to it. It may take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become apparent. The medicine will work if you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.

These medications can have adverse effects, including reduced appetite and difficulty sleeping, and may raise heart rate and blood pressure. Certain people with a medical condition like high blood pressure or heart disease, should not take them. They are controlled substances with the potential for abuse. Only psychiatrists, paediatricians or neurologists, and in certain situations, general practitioners may prescribe them. They are available in the form or pills, tablets patches that can be applied to the skin or liquids.

get more info Children and adolescents who take stimulants often suffer from weight loss and a lack of appetite. When the dose is too high, they can also develop the tics. If this happens, the doctor may reduce the dosage to avoid the drug from leading to a worsening of symptoms.

About 70% to 80 percent of adults and children with ADHD are treated with stimulant drugs. Most children and young people find that their symptoms improve through treatment. This is particularly true for those who have parents, teachers or other caregivers who report improvement.

Early use of stimulants may lower the risk of developing substance use disorders in later life. Wilens, Katusic, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman, et al83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of developing substance addiction disorders during the adolescent years. However this protective effect fades by early adulthood.

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