Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Stimulants are the most common type of medicine used to treat ADHD. They work by increasing the availability of certain chemicals in the brain, thus making the pathways in the brain work more effectively.
Our brains are made up of nerve cells called neurons , which are separated by tiny gaps called synapses. All brain and nervous system functions are based on how these neurons communicate across synapses. The neurons relay information to each other by sending chemical messengers or neurotransmitters across the synapses throughout the neural network.
Neurotransmitters are produced within a neuron. The neuron releases the neurotransmitter and it travels into the synapse. Additional research is needed to understand whether prescription stimulants primarily increase intrinsic motivation or cognitive ability.
As with many other medications, there is a dark side. Stimulants can be misused and abused by people. Often the misuse of these drugs is through the following actions:. Using a prescription stimulant in the ways mentioned above can develop into a substance use disorder SUD or addiction. Longer-term use of these types of medications can create a higher level of tolerance.
This means that greater or more frequent dosages of the drug are needed in order to achieve the same effect. Mental health professionals will likely diagnosis individuals with a SUD when their drug use substantially interferes with everyday activities. Take your time to weigh the options. And if the medication is for your child, be sure to get their input in the decision-making process. Most importantly, trust your instincts and do what feels right to you. For young children especially, medication should be viewed as a last resort, not the first course of treatment to try.
Consulting with an ADHD specialist or an experienced psychiatrist can help you understand the pros and cons of medication. Here are some questions to ask:. When deciding whether or not to put your child on medication, Jerome Schultz, Ph. There are many ways to help yourself or your child tackle the challenges of ADHD and lead a calmer, more productive life.
With the right tips and tools, you can manage many of the symptoms of your ADHD on your own. Even if you choose to take medication, healthy lifestyle habits and other self-help strategies may enable you to take a lower dose.
Exercise regularly. Exercising is one of the most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Try walking, skateboarding, hiking, dancing or playing a favorite sport.
Encourage your child to put down the video games and play outside. Eat a healthy diet. Set regular snack and meal times. Get plenty of sleep. Regular quality sleep can lead to vast improvement in the symptoms of ADHD. Simple changes to daytime habits go a long way toward resting well at night.
Have a set bedtime and stick to it. Avoid caffeine later in the day. Try therapy. ADHD professionals can help you or your child learn new skills to cope with symptoms and change habits that are causing problems. Some therapies focus on managing stress and anger or controlling impulsive behaviors, while others teach you how to manage time, improve organizational skills, and persist toward goals. Maintain a positive attitude. A positive attitude and common sense are your best assets for treating ADHD.
Here are some guidelines for safe use:. Learn about the prescribed medication. Find out everything you can about the ADHD medication you or your child is taking, including potential side effects, how often to take it, special warnings, and other substances that should be avoided, such as over-the-counter cold medication. Be patient. Finding the right medication and dose is a trial-and-error process. It will take some experimenting, as well as open, honest communication with your doctor.
Start small. Keep track of any side effects and monitor how well the medication is working to reduce symptoms. Taper off slowly. If you or your child wants to stop taking medication, call the doctor for guidance on gradually decreasing the dose. Abruptly stopping medication can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, depression, and headaches.
Encourage your child to come to you with any medication-related concerns so you can work together to solve the problem or find another treatment option. Berridge notes that scientists have learned little about how ADHD drugs work because past studies have primarily examined the effects of the medicines at high doses.
High-dose stimulants can cause dramatic spikes in neurotransmitter levels in the brain, which can in turn impair attention and heighten the risk of developing addiction.
To answer that question, Berridge and his team monitored neurotransmitter levels in three different brain regions thought to be targeted by ADHD drugs: the PFC and two smaller brain areas known as the accumbens which has been linked with processing "rewards," and the medial septum, which has been implicated in arousal and movement. Working with rats, the researchers conducted laboratory and behavioral tests to ensure that animal drug doses were functionally equivalent to doses prescribed in humans.
Then, using a type of brain probe - a process known as microdialysis - the UW-Madison team measured concentrations of dopamine and norepinephrine in the three different brain areas, both in the presence and absence of low-dose ADHD stimulants. Levels in the accumbens and medial septum, however, remained much the same, the scientists found.
In the future, Berridge and his colleagues plan to look deeper within the PFC to gain more detailed insights into how ADHD meds act on nerves to enhance cognitive ability.
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