ADHD Treatments For Adults

Many of the same therapies that are effective for children with ADHD can also be used to treat adults. These treatments include medication, counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve some combination of these treatments.

Stimulant Medicines

These medications work by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. They include methylphenidate, which is sold as Ritalin and Concerta and stimulants from the amphetamine family like lisdexamphetamine. It is marketed under the brand name Adderall and Vyvanse.

Stimulant Medications

Stimulants are drugs that boost the body's systems and can increase levels of alertness in the mind and greater physical activity. These include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee) nicotine, prescription medications used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and narcolepsy and hyperactivity. In large doses, stimulants can cause over-stimulation and lead to anxiety, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, paranoia and aggression. In some people, long-term usage of stimulants can harm the functioning of the brain's dopamine system and reduce pleasure feelings. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids, or patches. In the absence of legality, abused stimulants include methamphetamines, copyright and amphetamines.

The drugs in this class are also known as central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain that boost concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. They are the initial line of treatment for adults with ADD or ADHD. These medications can be a formula that acts quickly used in the morning or a more prolonged-acting medication that stays active throughout the course of the day, such as lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or can adhd get worse if untreated methylphenidate (Concerta Ritalin, Concerta).

The health care team can also recommend 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

Around 15%-30% of children do not respond to stimulant drugs, and this is likely to be the case for adults as well. Non-stimulant drugs take longer to work and may take a few weeks for you feel any effects. However, they don't have the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and may be a better choice in case you aren't able to take these medications or are concerned about addiction.