ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same treatments that work for children with ADHD are also effective for adults. These treatments include medicine and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include the combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
These drugs work by increasing the supply of certain brain chemicals that help control attention and self-regulation. These include the methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group including Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medicines
Stimulants boost the body's metabolism and can result in an increase in mental alertness and physical activity. They include legal substances like caffeine (added in tea and coffee), nicotine, and prescription medications used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) as well as narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants may result in over-stimulation and cause anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, aggression and paranoia. Long-term use of stimulants can cause the dopamine system in the brain to malfunction and decrease feelings of happiness. The stimulants are available in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include copyright, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
Medications in this class are also called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that improve concentration, decrease fatigue and increase alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults suffering from ADD or ADHD. These medicines are available in the form of a morning-only formulation or a longer-acting formulation that remains active throughout the day, like methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine.
The health care provider may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medication over time is crucial and can be a complex task.
Non-stimulant medications
About 15% to 30% of children who can diagnose and treat adhd do not respond to stimulant medication and this is probably to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant medications take longer to work and may take several weeks before you begin to notice any effects. However, they don't have the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and can be a better option in case you aren't able to take the effects of stimulants or are worried about addiction.