Adult ADHD Medication UK
The medication can help reduce symptoms however they cannot cure ADHD. People with ADHD often benefit from talking therapy and lifestyle adjustments.
Stimulants boost the brain's production of certain chemicals that enable your cells to communicate. In the beginning, your psychiatrist will prescribe you a medicine and gradually alter the dose to find the best balance for you.
Stimulants
Stimulants have been around the longest in ADHD medication, and they are likely to be given first to those who require them. They boost activity in the areas of your brain that regulate attention and help you take action. They also increase levels of chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine that pass messages between brain cells.
There are stimulants that have an effect that is short-acting and must be taken three or twice times a day, and others which have a longer-lasting effect that can be taken once per week. Your doctor and you will choose the best stimulant to use according to your personal preferences, whether you can take pills or not, and cost.
Methylphenidates and amphetamines are the most commonly prescribed ADHD medications. Both have a long practice of using them safely for children. Research shows that they are equally effective for adults. They can be consumed as tablets or liquids, and usually begin to take an effect within one hour. They are a well-tolerated drug and can be used both for short-term or long-term treatment. The most frequent side effects include headaches, sleep problems and loss of appetite.
Atomoxetine (also called Vyvanse) is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor that means it boosts the amount of a chemical that is present in your brain known as noradrenaline. It can improve concentration and reduce impulse-driven behavior, but it can cause more serious adverse effects than lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidates. It is available as a daily tablet or in a modified release form that can only be taken one time a day.
Read Home Page is a mixture of methylphenidate and dexamphetamine and is broken down in the body to release its effects over a period of time. NICE recommends it as a first-line treatment for adults. It suggests you could be switched to it in the event that your GP offers you a 6-week trial of methylphenidate.
In general, doctors are more willing to prescribe non-licensed medicines for adults than for younger people, and many will give you a variety of options. These are usually cheaper however they may not have been tested thoroughly and therefore are considered to be off license. This does not mean that they aren't safe, but it does mean that you have to pay for them through an individual psychiatrist and the NHS is not likely to cover them.
It's great that more people are aware of ADHD however, this must be matched with increased investments in services to assist adults with the disorder. Otherwise, we could create generations that struggle to cope at school, at work and in relationships. If they don't receive assistance from housing, education as well as healthcare services could develop mental health issues that could result in unemployment, homelessness and crime, as well as substance abuse, and health-related problems.
GPs are trained to identify the presence of ADHD and can refer patients to specialist clinics. They will inquire about your symptoms and then perform a series tests to rule out any other disorders. Clinics like these have specialists in the field of depression, anxiety, Tourettes, autism, and fears. They can prescribe the right medication to treat your specific condition.