ADHD in Adults (cont.)
Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD
Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
- What is the impact of ADHD in adults?
- How common is ADHD in adults?
- What are common adult ADHD symptoms, behaviors, and problems?
- What school-related impairments are linked to adult ADHD?
- What work-related impairments are linked to adult ADHD?
- What social-related impairments are linked to adult ADHD?
- What relationship-related impairments are linked to adult ADHD?
- How is adult ADHD diagnosed?
- What medications are used in the treatment of adult ADHD?
- What psychosocial behavior management strategies treat ADHD?
- Are there support groups for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
- Where can people find additional information on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
- Find a local Psychiatrist in your town
What medications are used in the treatment of adult ADHD?
There are a variety of treatments available for managing ADHD, including several effective treatment medications, educational or vocational interventions, as well as specific forms of psychotherapy. In terms of medication, those in the stimulant class are known to be quite effective for treating ADHD. Examples of stimulant medications used to treat this condition include short-acting medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dexmethlyphenidate (Focalin), intermediate-acting medications like dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall and Adderall-XR), and long-acting stimulants like methylphenidate slow release (Concerta, Daytrana), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin-XR), and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). However, for some individuals, the side effects of the medication prevent these medications from being appropriate. Therefore, specific nonstimulant medications, which are also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for effective treatment of ADHD, are prescribed for those individuals. Examples of nonstimulant medications include atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine (Tenex or Intuniv), and clonidine (Kapvay). Examples of medications that are often used to treat depression, like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and venlafaxine (Effexor), may also be helpful in the treatment of ADHD for some individuals.
Patient Comments
Viewers share their comments
http://www.medicinenet.com/adhd_in_adults/article.htm
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
Updated & New
