ADHD Medication For Adults UK
Medicines can dramatically reduce symptoms and aid in getting tasks accomplished. They also can help with underlying issues such as anxiety, sleep problems and depression.
Stimulants (methylphenidate and the amphetamine-based drug Lisdexamfetamine) are the first-line treatment for adults with ADHD. They boost the levels of two chemical messengers that are found in the brain, which improves focus and decreases impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the level of neurotransmitters in the brain. This enables it to perform better. They help improve concentration and reduce impulsive behaviour. The majority of people suffering from ADHD take stimulants in order to control their symptoms and improve their quality of lives. These drugs are classified as controlled substances because of the possibility of addiction. A psychiatrist will carefully alter the dosage of the medication to find the right balance between effectiveness and side-effects.
A major study, which was published in 2023, shows that the amount of prescriptions for ADHD medications in England has been increasing every year. It is believed that this is due in part to the increased awareness of the condition, and also shorter time to be assessed at NHS GP practices and improved procedures for referring adults to ADHD services.
ADHD is a condition that is difficult to manage at the workplace, at school, and at home. Many people with ADHD have difficulty receiving the assistance and treatment they require even after having been diagnosed. This is partly due to the fact that adults' ADHD services aren't always connected to children and adolescents' mental health services.
The symptoms of ADHD are not obvious and differ from person to person. People who have ADHD may adopt strategies to disguise their difficulties, such as not handing in homework or using technology to distract themselves. Others may be diagnosed with other issues, like depression or anxiety which could obscure the presence of underlying ADHD. When evaluating for other conditions, GPs must always consider that ADHD may be present.
Recent restrictions on health resources specifically that involving psychological interventions, have resulted in an increase in the number of adults prescribed pharmacological treatment for ADHD. A network meta-analysis, a kind of medical review published in the last few days, demonstrates that amphetamines (including methylphenidate) are the most effective medications for ADHD. This is the largest network meta-analysis to date, and it strengthens the evidence in support of NICE guidelines.
Other treatment options for ADHD, in addition to medications, include environmental and educational modifications. These are designed to minimise the effects of ADHD on a person's daily functioning for example, altering seating arrangements in work and school places, offering breaks for movement (including 'I need a break cards), optimising working and studying to allow for shorter periods of concentration by allowing more frequent movement and reinforcing verbal requests with written ones.
non stimulant adhd medication is important for GPs to refer people with suspected ADHD to be assessed and treated by an experienced psychiatrist or psychologist, regardless of whether they're taking medication or not. Patients could be misdiagnosed or delayed, which could have severe consequences. This may lead to people not receiving treatment for the whole duration of their illness, or suffering from untreated ADHD into adulthood. It can also mean that the root causes of the unmanageable problems with ADHD are not addressed, for example, a lack of self-reflection or poor relationship management skills. This could negatively impact the person's mental and physical health over the long run.