ADHD Medication For Adults UK
The use of medication can greatly reduce symptoms and aid in getting tasks completed. They also can help with the root causes of sleep issues, anxiety and depression.
Stimulants (methylphenidate and the more recent amphetamine-based drug lisdexamfetamine) are the first line treatment for adults suffering from ADHD. They increase the levels of two chemical brain messengers that improve focus and decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of neurotransmitters within the brain. This allows it to function more efficiently. They aid in improving concentration and reduce impulsive behaviour. Most people who have ADHD take stimulants to control their symptoms and improve their lives. The stimulants are legal as controlled substances because of the potential for addiction. A specialist psychiatrist will carefully adjust the dosage of the medication to ensure that the proper balance is achieved between the effectiveness and side effects.
A major study published in 2023 has revealed that prescriptions for ADHD medication in England have increased year on year. This is attributed to increased awareness, lower waiting time at NHS GP surgeries and improved procedures for referring adults to ADHD services.
ADHD is a complicated disorder that can make it difficult to manage at work, school and at home. Many people with ADHD find it difficult to receive the support and treatment they require, even after a diagnosis. This is largely due to the fact that adults' ADHD services are not always able to link up with child and adolescent mental health services.
The symptoms of ADHD are subtle and can differ from person to person. People suffering from ADHD may come up with strategies to conceal their difficulties, like not submitting homework or using technology to distract them. Other people might be diagnosed with other disorders, such as anxiety or depression, which can obscure the presence of ADHD. When assessing for other disorders, GPs must always consider that ADHD could be present.
Recent restrictions on health resources specifically with psychological interventions, have resulted in an increase in the number of adults being referred for pharmacological treatment for ADHD. A recently published network meta-analysis (a kind of medical review) shows that amphetamines - comprising methylphenidate and Lisdexamfetamine are the most effective drug treatments for ADHD. This is the largest network meta-analysis to date and strengthens the evidence supporting NICE guidelines.
In addition to medications and other treatments for ADHD include educational and environmental adjustments. They are designed to reduce the impact of ADHD on the person's daily life for example, altering seating arrangements in work and school places, providing movement breaks (including "I need to take a break' cards) as well as optimizing work and studying in order to enable shorter periods of focus by allowing more frequent movement and bolstering verbal requests by written requests.
If the patient is taking medication, it's vital that GPs send patients who are suspected of having ADHD to a seasoned psychologist or clinical psychiatrist to be assessed and treated. Patients may be misdiagnosed, or delayed, which could lead to grave consequences. It may result in people not receiving treatment throughout the duration of their illness or being diagnosed with untreated ADHD as adults. It can also mean that the underlying causes of unmanageable ADHD-related problems aren't addressed, such as for example an inability to self-reflect or poor relationship management skills. adhd and medication could result in a negative impact on the person's long-term physical and mental health.