Treating ADD with Stimulant Drugs

If you or your child suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder, you may have noticed symptoms such as impulsiveness, lack of focus, and frustration with tasks. Living with ADD can make it difficult to function effectively in a school or work setting. Treating ADD can help you or your child regain control of your symptoms and your lives, and one of the most popular methods for treating ADD is stimulant drugs.

Stimulant drugs can help manage a short attention span or hyperactivity, and they are often used in conjunction with behavioral therapy. These drugs are often used for treating ADD because roughly 70 percent of adults and up to 80 percent of children see an improvement soon after starting the treatment. Stimulants work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine in the brain which helps with attention and focus.

It is advised that, while stimulant drugs are frequently used for treating ADD, not everyone should take them. Anyone with glaucoma, severe anxiety, a family history of Tourette Syndrome, motor tics, or is taking a medication called monoamine oxidase should not take stimulants. Those who do take stimulants may experience side effects such as headaches, stomach aches, decreased appetite, weight loss, nervousness, sleeplessness, or increased blood pressure. It is important for your doctor to monitor you while you’re undergoing treatment.

Make sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or nursing; taking any dietary supplements; have had heart disease, liver or kidney disease, seizures, or high blood pressure; or if you’ve suffered from alcohol abuse, or any other mental health issues before treating your ADD with stimulants.