5 Laws That Can Help With The ADD Treatments For Adults Industry ADHD Treatments For Adults

Adults can benefit from the same treatments as children. These include medicine as well as counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include a combination of these treatments.

Stimulant Medications


These drugs work by increasing brain chemicals that regulate attention and self regulation. They include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medicines

Stimulants increase the body's energy and can result in an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added in coffee and tea), nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of satisfaction. The stimulants are available as liquids, patches or pills. Cocaine, methamphetamines and amphetamines are stimulants which can be purchased illegally and abused.

These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They work by increasing certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce tiredness and increase alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. adhd adults treatment may be a quick-acting formula taken in the morning or a longer-acting medicine that is active in the body for most of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).

The health care team can also suggest psychosocial interventions, such as psychotherapy or education. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is crucial and is an extremely complex process.

Non-stimulant Medicines

Around 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulants and it's possible that this is the case for adults too. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to start working, and it can take a few weeks before you feel the effects. They don't come with the same negative side effects and are a better option when you are not able to take stimulants or fear of addiction.