Adult ADHD Medication UK
Medications can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD, but they are not an effective cure. People with ADHD often benefit from talking therapy and lifestyle changes.
Stimulants boost the amount of certain chemicals in your brain that allow brain cells to communicate. Your psychiatrist will first prescribe an medication, and then gradually alter the dosage to find your best balance.
Stimulants
Stimulants have been around for the longest in ADHD medications, and they are likely to be offered first to those who need these medications. They increase the activity of the regions of your brain that control attention and aid in taking action. They also increase levels of chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals pass messages between brain cells.
There are stimulants with effects that are short-acting, and need to be taken twice or three times daily, and others that act longer that can be taken once a week. You and your doctor will decide which one is best for you according to the time you like taking it, if you can swallow pills or not and cost.
The most commonly used ADHD medications are methylphenidates and amphetamines. Both have a long tradition of being safely used for children. my response show that they are equally effective for adults. They are available in the form of liquids, capsules, or tablets. The effects typically begin within an hour. They can be used for short-term and long-term treatment. They are very well tolerated, with the main adverse effects being loss of appetite, headaches, and sleep problems.
Atomoxetine also referred to as Vyvanse, is a selective inhibitor of noradrenaline uptake. This means that it boosts the levels of noradrenaline in the brain. This can help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviour, but it could cause more serious side consequences than lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidates. It is available as a daily tablet or modified release form that can only be taken one time every day.
Lisdexamfetamine is a combination of methylphenidate and dexamphetamine and is broken down by the body to release its effects over several hours. NICE suggests that it be used as a first line drug treatment for adults. Your GP can switch you to it following an methylphenidate trial of six weeks.
Doctors tend to prescribe unlicensed medication for adults compared to younger patients, and they will often suggest alternatives. They may be less expensive but they haven't been thoroughly examined and therefore are "off licence". This does not mean that they aren't safe, but it does mean that you will need to pay for them through private psychiatrists and the NHS is not likely to cover these.
It's good that more people are aware of ADHD however, this must be accompanied by an increase in spending on services that help adults with the condition. We risk creating a generation of people who will struggle at school, work, and in their relationships if we don't act. Those who are not helped by education, housing, healthcare and other support services may end up suffering from mental health issues that cause unemployment, homelessness, substance misuse, criminality and health-related issues. for their families.
GPs have been trained to identify ADHD and refer patients to specialist clinics. They will inquire about your symptoms and then perform a series tests to rule out any other illnesses. The clinics will have experts in areas such as depression, anxiety as well as phobias, Tourettes and autism, in addition to ADHD and ADHD, and they will prescribe the right treatment for your specific needs.