ADHD Medication Uk: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

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ADHD Medication - Treatment For ADHD

Treatment can help people with ADHD concentrate better, be less impulsive and more relaxed. It's usually a mix of therapy and medicine.

Stimulants boost activity in the parts of the brain responsible for attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is also known as Ritalin, is one of most common medicines prescribed for adults with ADHD.

Stimulants

Stimulants are drugs that increase brain activity in the areas that control behavior and attention. They are typically prescribed as part of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The stimulants increase the levels of two chemical messengers, norepinephrine and dopamine, in your brain. This allows you to concentrate and decreases the impact of certain impulses, like those that trigger impulsive behavior. The majority of stimulants are well-tolerated by adults and children, however some people may have adverse effects, like headaches, jitteriness or increased heart rate.

There are many different stimulant medications that are available such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) as well as dextroamphetamine (Dexamphetamine), Atomoxetine (Strattera) and modafinil (Provigil). The results from the largest network meta-analysis to date, published in the British Medical Journal in 2016, support amphetamines as first-choice drugs for adults with ADHD. The drug lisdexamfetamine is now approved in the UK and has an advantage over short-acting stimulants as it does not disappear throughout the daytime. It also only requires one dose a day. Patients had take short-acting amphetamines 3 or four times a day. This was difficult for patients to remember to take and could result in an inability to adhere.

It is important to get an accurate medical history in order to determine if a person suffering from ADHD may have other conditions that contribute to their symptoms. A medical condition such as thyroid disorders, sleep apnea or other conditions might be causing your child's fatigue or difficulties in concentrating. It is also worth mentioning any substance abuse issues to your doctor, since the excessive use of illegal, prescription or over-the-counter medications can have an impact on your child's ability of concentrating.

Medical professionals recommend that children be treated for ADHD to enhance their academic performance and to help them develop into healthy, happy adults. However the decision to medicate a child for ADHD is not made lightly by parents and can be a long and complicated process. Many children will suffer from side effects such as irritability, insomnia and anxiety, however most of the time these can be overcome with a cautious monitoring and gradual increase in dosage.

Some parents decide to seek private treatment for their child. This involves a series of appointments with a specialist psychiatrist to begin the medication process and monitor progress. It could take up to five appointments, and subsequent fortnightly or monthly visits as the child becomes used to the medication. Many families are surprised to learn that NHS waiting lists are very long, and private healthcare offers a more efficient approach to care. A detailed report on your child's progress will be sent to your GP who will then carry out the monitoring of the medication that has been prescribed by your psychiatrist. In some cases you could be asked to return to the NHS to continue this process to ensure that your GP is aware of all medications prescribed to your child and read more will conduct regular checks and reviews.