ADHD Medication - Treatment For ADHD

Treatment can assist those who suffer from ADHD to concentrate better, feel calmer and be less impatient. It's usually a mix of therapy and medication.

Stimulants stimulate brain activity in areas that control the behavior of attention. Methylphenidate (known as Ritalin) is one of the most commonly used medications to treat adults suffering from ADHD.

Stimulants

Stimulants are medications which increase brain activity in the areas that control behavior and attention. They are typically used in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The stimulants increase the levels dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain. This allows you to concentrate and decreases the effect of certain impulses, such as ones that can trigger impulsive behavior. They are generally accepted by adults and children, however some people might experience side effects, such as jitteriness, headaches or an increased heart rate.

There are a number of different stimulant medications that are available such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Dexamphetamine) as well as atomoxetine (Strattera) and modafinil (Provigil). The results of the biggest meta-analysis of the network to date, published in the British Medical Journal in 2016, support amphetamines as first-choice drugs for adults with ADHD. Lisdexamfetamine, a drug, is licensed in the UK and has an advantage over short-acting stimulants because it does not wear off during the daytime. It is also only required only one dose a day. Prior to this, patients required short-acting stimulants three or four times per day, but this isn't always easy for patients who can prescribe medication for adhd forget to take their medication, and could result in poor compliance.

A thorough medical history is essential to determine if a person with ADHD has any other conditions which could be contributing to their symptoms. For instance medical conditions such as sleep apnea or thyroid problems could be causing your child to be exhausted or have trouble focusing. It is also important to bring up any substance abuse issues to your doctor, because the excessive use Types of Adhd medication illegal, prescription or over-the-counter medications can affect your child's ability to focus.

Medical professionals recommend that children be treated for ADHD in order to improve their school performance and help them grow into healthy, happy adults. However, the decision to medicate children with ADHD is not made lightly by parents and can be a long and difficult process. Many children will experience side effects such as irritability and insomnia However, these effects can be overcome by carefully monitoring and gradually increasing dosages.

Some parents opt to seek out private treatment for their child, which entails an ongoing series of appointments with a specialist psychiatrist to start the medication and monitor their progress. This could involve five or more sessions followed by monthly or fortnightly appointments as the child becomes used to the medication. Many families discover that NHS waiting lists are incredibly long, and private healthcare is a more efficient method to treatment. Your GP will receive a detailed report on your child's progress. They will monitor the medication that was prescribed by your psychiatrist. In certain instances you might be referred back to the NHS for this to continue to ensure that your GP is aware of every medications that have been prescribed to your child and can conduct regular reviews and checks.