ADHD Medication For Adults UK
Medications can significantly reduce symptoms and aid in getting tasks accomplished. They also can help with issues that are underlying, such as anxiety, insomnia and depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD are treated first by stimulants (methylphenidate or the newest amphetamine-based medication, Lisdexamfetamine). They increase levels of two chemical messengers in the brain that improve focus and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Stimulants
Stimulants boost the amount of neurotransmitters inside the brain. This helps it function more efficiently. They increase concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Most people with ADHD use stimulants to control their symptoms and enhance the quality of their lives. These medications are categorized as controlled substances because of the potential for addiction. A specialist psychiatrist will carefully titrate the dose of the medication, in order to ensure that the proper balance is struck between the effectiveness and side effects.
A major study, which was published in 2023, shows that the number of prescriptions for ADHD medication in England has been increasing every year. It is thought that this is due to 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 school, at work as well as at home. Many adults with ADHD report difficulty getting the help and treatment they need even after having been diagnosed. This is largely due to the fact that adults' ADHD services are not always integrated with child and adolescents mental health services.
Symptoms of ADHD can be subtle and can vary from person to person. adhd medication pregnancy suffering from ADHD may develop strategies to hide their problems, such as not submitting their homework or using technology to distract them. Other conditions, like depression or anxiety, can conceal the presence of ADHD. When evaluating for other conditions, GPs must always consider the possibility that ADHD might be present.
Recently there has been a rise in the number adults who are being treated with pharmacological treatments for ADHD. This is due to recent restrictions on health resources. A network meta-analysis, which is a kind of medical review published recently shows that amphetamines (including methylphenidate) are the most effective medications for ADHD. This is the largest such network meta-analysis that has been conducted to date, and provides evidence in support of NICE guidelines.
In addition to medication alternative treatment options for ADHD include educational and environmental modifications. These are designed to minimise the impact of ADHD on the daily activities of a person by altering seating arrangements in schools and work places, offering breaks for movement (including "I need to take a break' cards) as well as optimizing work and studying to enable shorter periods of focus by allowing more frequent movement and reinforcing verbal requests with written ones.
It is important for GPs to refer patients with suspected ADHD for evaluation and treatment by an experienced clinical psychologist or psychiatrist regardless of whether they are taking medication or not. Patients may be misdiagnosed, or delayed, which can have grave consequences. This can result in patients not receiving treatment for the whole duration of their illness, or enduring untreated ADHD as they grow older. It can also mean that the underlying causes of the unmanageable problems with ADHD aren't addressed, for instance an inability to self-reflect or poor interpersonal skills. This could negatively impact the person's mental and physical health over the long run.