ADHD Medication For Adults UK
Medications can significantly reduce symptoms and make it easier to get tasks done. They can also help with the root causes of anxiety, sleep problems and depression.
Adults with ADHD are treated first with stimulants (methylphenidate or the more recent amphetamine-based medication, lisdexamfetamine). They increase the levels two chemical messengers found in the brain, which enhances concentration and reduces impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase the levels of neurotransmitters within the brain. This enables it to function more efficiently. They increase concentration and decrease the risk of impulsive behavior. Most people who have ADHD take stimulants to control their symptoms and enhance their quality of life. The stimulants are legal as controlled substances due to the possibility of addiction. A specialist psychiatrist will carefully adjust the dosage of the medication, in order to ensure that the right balance is struck between effectiveness and adverse effects.
Info published in 2023 shows that prescriptions for ADHD medication in England have been rising each year. This is due to increased awareness, reduced waiting time at NHS GP surgeries and improved procedures for referring adults to ADHD services.
ADHD is a condition that can be difficult to manage in school, at work, and at home. Even after a diagnosis of ADHD, many adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty receiving the support and treatment that they require. This is partly due to the fact that adults' ADHD services are not always linked up with the mental health of children and adolescents. services.
Symptoms of ADHD can be subtle and vary from person to. People with ADHD may adopt strategies to disguise their issues, for example, not submitting their homework or using technology to distract themselves. Other conditions, such as depression or anxiety, can cover up the presence of ADHD. GPs should always consider the possibility that ADHD is present when they are assessing individuals for these other ailments.
Recently there has been an rise in the number adults referred to pharmacological treatment of ADHD. This is due to recent health resource restrictions. A network meta-analysis (a type of medical review published in the last few days, demonstrates that amphetamines (including methylphenidate) are the most effective treatment for ADHD. This is the biggest network meta-analysis that has been conducted to date, and provides evidence in support of NICE guidelines.
Other treatment options for ADHD, in addition to medication include educational and environment modifications. These are designed to minimize the effects of ADHD on the person's daily life, such as 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 with more frequent movements, and enforcing verbal requests by using written requests.
It is important for GPs to refer patients who have suspected ADHD to be assessed and treated by an experienced psychiatrist or clinical psychologist regardless of whether they are taking medication or not. If they don't, patients may experience delayed or undiagnosed symptoms, which can have serious consequences. This could result in patients not receiving treatment for the duration of their condition or being diagnosed with untreated ADHD as adults. It can also mean that the underlying causes of the unmanageable problems with ADHD aren't addressed, for instance, a lack of self-reflection or poor interpersonal skills. This could negatively impact the physical and mental health over the long run.