as ADD, inattentive type ADD, or hyperactive/impulsive type
ADD. After your diagnosis you may learn that you are also
suffering from a learning disability, depression, or substance
abuse, which is often associated with ADD.
There is no cure for Attention Deficit Disorder. “Along with
increasing awareness of the problem, a better understanding of its
causes and treatment has developed (3 Wender)”. There is
medication for ADD which will only alleviate the symptoms. The
medication will not permanently restore the chemical balance.
Approximately 70% of adults with ADD find that their symptoms
significantly improve after they take medication prescribed by
their doctors. The patient is able to concentrate on difficult and
time-consuming tasks, stop impulsive behavior , and tame the
restless twitches that have been experienced in the past. Some
ADD patient’s psychological and behavioral problems are not
solved by medication alone, and are required more therapy or
training .
There are two types of drugs that work to balance the
neurotransmitters and have been found to be most effective in
treating ADD. Stimulants are drugs that stimulate or activate brain
activity. Stimulants work by increasing the amount of dopamine
either produced in the brain or used by the frontal lobes of the
brain. There are several different stimulants that may work to
alleviate the symptoms of ADD, including methylphenidate
(Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), and pemoline (Cylert).
Stimulants are by far the most effective medications in the
treatment of ADD. Some patients respond well to antidepressants.
Antidepressants also stimulate brain activity in the frontal lobes,
but they affect the production and use of other chemicals, usually
norepinephrine and serotonin. The antidepressants considered
most useful for ADD include imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine
(Norpramin), bupropion ( Wellbutrin), and fluoxetine
hydrochloride (Prozac).
All stimulants have the same set of side effects. Some
patients complain of feeling nauseous or headachy at the outset of
treatment, but find that these side effects pass within a few days.
Others find that their appetites are suppressed and or that they
have difficulty sleeping. If the stimulant dosage is too high the
patient may experience feelings of nervousness, agitation, and
anxiety, In rare cases, increased heart rate and high blood pressure
can result with the use of stimulants, especially if the patient has
an underlying predisposition toward hypertension.
Ritalin is the most widely prescribed drug used to treat ADD
in both children and adults. Ritalin appears to work by stimulating
the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The benefits of
Ritalin include improved concentration and reduced distractibility
and disorganization.
Dextroamphetamine is another stimulant medication that
appears to have a slightly different pharmacological action than
Ritalin. Both work to boost the amount of available dopamine.
Dextroamphetamine, however, blocks the reuptake of the
neurotransmitter while Ritalin increases its production (334 Kelly,
Ramundo, Press).
All the drugs used to treat ADD have the same goal: to
provide the brain with the raw materials it needs to concentrate
over a sustained period of time, control impulses, and regulate
motor activity. The drug or combination of drugs that work best
for you depends on the individuals brain chemistry and
constellation of symptoms. The process of finding the right drug
can be tricky for each individual. The physicians are not able to
accurately predict how any one individual will respond to various
doses or types of Attention Deficit Disorder medication.
Medication is rarely enough for the patient. Most Attention
Deficit Disorder patients require therapy to give guidance . Adult
patients have the burden of the past that often hinders their
progress. The patient then needs help with the relief of
disappointment, frustration, and nagging sense of self-doubt that
often weighs upon the ADD patient. Some ADD patients suffer
from low-grade depression or anxiety, others with a dependence on
alcohol or drugs, and most with low self-esteem and feelings of
helplessness.
Therapy also helps the ADD pa