ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same therapies that work for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medication and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments could include a combination.
Stimulant Medicines
These drugs work by increasing brain chemicals that control attention and self regulation. They include methylphenidate sold under the names Ritalin and Concerta as well as stimulants belonging to the amphetamine family such as lisdexamphetamine, which is known by the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.
adhd symptoms and treatment increase the body's energy and can result in 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 used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can create over-stimulation, which can cause anxiety, heart palpitations, hypertension as well as paranoia and aggression. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of pleasure. Stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches. The most commonly used and illegally obtained stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They work by boosting certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease tiredness and increase alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first by these drugs. These medications may be a quick-acting formula used in the morning or a longer-acting medicine 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, such as psychotherapy or educational. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is important and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant Medications
About 15%-30% of kids do not respond to stimulants and it's possible that this is the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to work and can take up to several weeks to begin to notice any effects. However, they don't carry the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and may be a better choice if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.