ADHD Medication UK For Adults
Celebrities like Sue Perkins and Jonny Vegas have revealed their ADHD diagnosis, which has raised awareness and prompted more people to seek medication. Specialist psychiatrists prescribe ADHD medication and carefully monitor side effects to find the right dosage for each person.
The first kind of medication is a stimulant, such as the methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Atomoxetine, also known as Strattera is also approved for treating ADHD. However, it works differently and takes longer to be effective.
Stimulants
In the UK In the UK, stimulants are used to treat ADHD. They alter the levels of neurotransmitters within the brain in order to increase attention and reduce hyperactivity. Psychiatrists carefully titrate medications to find the ideal balance for each individual. There are many types of stimulants, including amphetamines like Ritalin and Methylphenidates. There are also non-stimulants that are sometimes used. Dexamfetamine and atomoxetine as well as other stimulants are frequently employed. However an investigation from the past suggests that they could have a lesser impact than amphetamines and methylphenidate.
Medication is an important part of treatment, and the majority of patients who use it do so as a supplement to psychological intervention. Psychotherapy can help someone develop healthy strategies for coping and help them break long-standing negative habits of behavior. Medications should never be seen as a complete solution, however, and some individuals choose not to use any medication. In the UK, talk therapy is recommended as the first line treatment for adults suffering from ADHD and is usually offered in conjunction with medication.
The number of adults receiving ADHD medication has increased by twofold since the beginning of the Covid pandemic, and is now higher than the number of children receiving the same medications. This is partly because patients who were not diagnosed or ignored their symptoms were being treated. However, it's also possible that recent restrictions on health services, specifically for psychotherapy, resulted in certain patients being offered medications before they would have otherwise been evaluated.
There are five central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and ADHD medications available on the NHS including methylphenidate and amphetamines most commonly prescribed. adhd medication are usually given as tablets that are short-acting and last for a few hours or as a slow-release tablet taken once a day (also known as modified or immediate release). A recent study suggests that amphetamines like lisdexamfetamine should be the preferred medication to treat adult ADHD. The medication is safe and has a low likelihood of serious side effects and costs the NHS just over PS104m annually to prescribe.
Despite these obvious benefits, it is not common for stigma to persist, particularly amongst the neurodiverse communities where it is observed. This can be seen in unhelpful ideas which divide people suffering from ADHD into 'good' and 'bad" people. The 'good' individuals are those who don't take medication and manage their symptoms without medication, while those who are 'bad' depend on medication to alleviate their symptoms. This can be a barrier for people who are seeking assistance, making it harder to access assistance and services.
As with all medications there are risks involved however, the evidence is in favor of the use of ADHD medications as a crucial element of treatment for ADHD. The risk of serious side effects is very low. They can be reduced following a carefully titrated process, ensuring that the medication is at the right strength and observing any adverse effects frequently during the initial stages of treatment. Additionally, changes to the environment can reduce the impact of ADHD. This could include things like seating arrangements, ensuring that the area is peaceful and free of distractions and using a timer to schedule breaks, optimizing learning or work for shorter periods of focus with movement between activities and utilising teaching assistants where it is possible.