ADHD Treatments For Adults
Many of the same methods that work for children with ADHD can also be used to treat adults. These treatments include medication and counseling (psychotherapy) and life skills training. They may also involve some combination of these therapies.
Stimulant Medications
The drugs increase the supply of certain brain chemicals that aid in controlling attention and self-regulation. These include the chemical methylphenidate (marketed as Ritalin, Concerta) and stimulants in the amphetamine class like lisdexamphetamine (marketed as Adderall, Vyvanse).
Stimulant Medications
Stimulants increase the body's energy and can cause increased alertness to the mind and physical activity. They include legal substances such as caffeine (added in tea and coffee), nicotine, and prescription drugs 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, hypertension, aggression and paranoia. Long-term stimulant use can cause the dopamine system of the brain to malfunction, reducing feelings of happiness. The stimulants are available as pills, liquids or patches. Illegally obtained and abused stimulants include copyright, methamphetamines and amphetamines.
The drugs in this class are called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and work by increasing the quantity of certain chemicals in the brain which improve concentration, reduce fatigue, and boost alertness. Adults with ADD and ADHD are treated first with these drugs. They can be a formula that acts quickly that is taken in the morning, or a longer-acting drug that is active throughout the duration of the day such as the lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin).
The health care provider may also recommend psychosocial interventions such as education, psychotherapy or coaching. It is crucial to track the effectiveness of medication over time. This is a difficult task.
Non-stimulant medications
Around 15%-30% of children don't respond to stimulant drugs and it's likely that this is true for adults too. Non-stimulant medications take longer to take effect and it could take as long as several weeks to notice any effects. But, they don't come with the same risk of adverse effects as stimulants and may be a better choice if you can't tolerate these medications or are concerned here about addiction.