ADD Treatments For Adults: The Evolution Of ADD Treatments For Adults ADHD Treatments For Adults


Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. Iam Psychiatry include counseling, medication (psychotherapy) and life skills training. These treatments can include a combination.

Stimulant Medications

The drugs increase the amount of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling self-regulation and attention. They include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class, such as the amphetamine lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).

Stimulant Medications

Stimulants increase the body's energy and can lead to increased mental alertness and physical activity. These include legal substances like caffeine (added to coffee and tea) and nicotine, and prescription drugs that treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses of stimulants, they can cause overstimulation which can result in anxiety, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure. They may also cause anxiety and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of happiness. Stimulants are available in pill form, liquids or patches that go on the skin. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.

These medications are also called central nervous system stimulants. They work by boosting certain chemicals in the mind that boost concentration, decrease tiredness and increase alertness. They are the first line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines may be a quick-acting formula that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting medicine that is active throughout the course of the day. Examples include the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).

The health care team can also suggest psychosocial interventions, like psychotherapy or education. It is crucial to track the effectiveness of medicines over time. This can be a difficult task.

Non-stimulant medications

About 15%-30 percent of children do not respond to stimulant medications and this is probably true for adults too. Non-stimulant medicines take longer to start working, and can sometimes take several weeks before you begin to notice the effects. They don't have the same side effects and are a better choice if you cannot tolerate stimulants or fear of addiction.