Medications For ADHD
The use of medication can assist people suffering from ADHD to concentrate, reduce impulsivity and develop new skills. They can also enhance the social interactions and school performance.
However, millions of people suffering from the illness are struggling to access their medication because of shortages. Many are rationing their medications or stockpiling. However, a taskforce is working to solve the issue.
Stimulants
The medications used to treat ADHD are usually classed as stimulants, which means they increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. This helps your brain to concentrate and stop your brain from acting on impulses.
Stimulants are the most frequently prescribed form of UK ADHD medication. They are a class of medications that comprise the methylphenidate family (such as Ritalin), and amphetamine salts (like Adderall). Both work in a different manner, but they both reduce the amount of dopamine released by the brain when an impulse occurs.
In Europe and in the UK in the UK and Europe, the methylphenidate family is the most commonly used. It includes methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, and Lisdexamfetamine. They are available as short acting or long acting medications or as an amalgamation of both called 'immediate ' release' and'modified release'. Short-acting tablets usually last between two to three hours, whereas modified release medications can be taken for up to 12 hours.
Last year the government issued a nationwide patient safety alert warning of shortages of these ADHD medication. The shortages were caused by both manufacturing problems and an increasing demand in the world. Certain products were not available for a time, but now supplies are back in stock.
As the number of ADHD medications increased, more adults were able to take these medications. This meant that for the first time more adults than children are getting these medicines in England. There are also an increasing number of women diagnosed with ADHD as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic and are now being treated with these medicines as are their male counterparts.
In the UK there are more than 200,000 adults are on stimulant ADHD medications. This is a tiny portion of the estimated 2,6 million people living in the UK with the condition. The decision to take or not take medication is often a personal choice. Some people decide to go the medication route, whereas others choose therapy and may never require or desire to take meds.
There are also non-stimulant ADHD medications that are available, and they have a different effect on the body. This type of medication increases noradrenaline in the brain which is a messenger chemical that transfers information between nerve cells. This can help improve concentration and decrease of impulses. However, it takes several weeks for it to be effective on the brain and this is the reason why non-stimulant ADHD medications are often required to be monitored by psychiatrists more closely. It's also more expensive than stimulants. However, it is essential for adults to be aware of the options available for them and to discuss this with their GP or ADHD service. treating adhd without medication can give further guidance on what options are available for their families and for them. This is particularly important, because the recent shortages in the UK have impacted the availability of these medicines.