Adult ADHD Medication UK
Medical treatments can help ease the symptoms of ADHD but they're not an effective cure. Talking therapy and lifestyle modifications are often beneficial to people who suffer from ADHD.
Stimulants boost the brain's production of certain chemicals that enable your cells to communicate. Initially, your psychiatrist will prescribe you a medicine and then gradually adjust the dose to determine the most effective balance for you.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most well-known of all ADHD medication and are likely to be first prescribed to those who require them. They work by increasing the activity in parts of your mind that control attention and help to take action. They also increase levels of chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which pass messages between brain cells.
There are stimulants that have effects that are short-acting, and need to be taken two or three times a day, and others that act longer and can be taken only once a week. Your doctor and you will determine which one is best for you based on when you prefer taking it, whether you can swallow pills or not and cost.
Methylphenidates as well as amphetamines are the most commonly prescribed ADHD drugs. Both have a long track record of use that is safe for children, and studies have shown that they can be as effective for adults. They can be taken as tablets, capsules or liquids and usually begin to take effects within a matter of hours. They can be used for short - and long-term treatments and are very well tolerated, with the most frequent side effects being loss of appetite, headaches, and sleep problems.
Atomoxetine, also known as Vyvanse, is a selective inhibitor of the uptake of noradrenaline. This means it boosts the levels of noradrenaline in the brain. It can help improve concentration and decrease impulse-driven behavior, but it may cause more serious side-effects than methylphenidates and lisdexamfetamine. It is available as a daily tablet or in a modified release form that can only be taken one time per day.
Lisdexamfetamine is a mixture of methylphenidate and dexamphetamine and is broken down in the body to create its effects over the course of several hours. NICE suggests that it be utilized as a first-line treatment for adults. Your GP may recommend switching you to it following an methylphenidate trial of six weeks.
In general doctors are more inclined to prescribe non-licensed medicines for adults than younger people, and many will provide you with a range of alternatives. They may be less expensive but they haven't been thoroughly tested and are therefore 'off licence'. However, that doesn't mean they are unsafe. However, you'll need to pay a private psychiatrist to access these. The NHS is unlikely to cover them.
The increased awareness of ADHD is good, but it must be accompanied by a greater investment in services for adults with the condition. Otherwise, adhd medication uk for adults risk creating an entire generation struggling to be successful in school, in jobs and in relationships. If they don't receive support from housing, education or healthcare services could end up suffering from mental disorders that can cause homelessness, unemployment or crime, addiction to drugs, and health-related problems.
Doctors are trained to determine whether a patient has ADHD and can refer them to specialist clinics. They'll usually inquire about your symptoms, and then perform a series tests to rule out any other conditions that could be the cause. These clinics have experts in depression, anxiety, Tourettes, autism, and fears. They will prescribe the appropriate medication for your particular situation.