ADHD Treatments For Adults
Adults are able to benefit from many of the same therapies as children. These treatments include counseling, medication (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They could also include the combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medicines
The drugs increase the supply of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling self-regulation and attention. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants from the amphetamine group including Lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants are drugs that stimulate the body's systems and can cause higher levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in coffee and tea) nicotine, as well as prescription drugs used to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD), 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 stimulant use can cause the dopamine receptors in the brain to malfunction and reduce feelings of satisfaction. Stimulants can be taken in pills, liquids or patches that go on the skin. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include methamphetamines, cocaine and amphetamines.
The medications in this class are known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They work by increasing the amount of certain brain chemicals which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the first line treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medicines can be a short-acting formula used in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that remains active throughout the course of the day, such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care provider may also suggest psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy, education or coaching. Monitoring the effectiveness of medications over time is crucial and is an extremely complex process.
Non-stimulant Medicines that are not stimulants
Around 15% to 30% of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's likely that this is true for adults too. The non-stimulant medications take longer time to kick in and may take a few weeks for you feel any effects. But, treatment for adult adhd don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and can be a better option if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned about addiction.