Do you know anyone who swears by Adderall? Someone who uses it to stay focused, complete a task, or combat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
It’s essential to know the risks and benefits of medication, especially for children with ADHD.
We asked Dr Ashley Chatigny for answers. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, medical director of behavioural healthcare at Lee Physician Group and a double-boarded psychiatrist.
What is Adderall?
Adderall contains a combination between amphetamine (a central nervous stimulant) and dextroamphetamine (a central nervous stimulant). These two stimulants improve focus and reduce impulses by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Adderall was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1996.
Adderall for adults
Buy Adderall Online improves focus and concentration in people with ADHD, as it acts directly on the central nervous system. Adderall also has the same effects on people who don’t have ADHD. However, it does come with side effects, such as restlessness, headaches and problems sleeping.
Adderall withdrawal can be a severe issue. Both adults and children must use Adderall only under the guidance of a physician.
Adderall for ADHD in Children: What is the dosage?
ADHD is most often diagnosed among U.S. kids aged 2-17 years. Dr Chatigny says that ADHD begins in childhood when the brain develops. “Symptoms usually appear around the age of seven, during early childhood.”
Numerous studies show that siblings and parents of children with ADHD are at a higher risk for having ADHD themselves. There’s also a lot of misinformation out there about what causes ADHD. For example, vaccinations. “That’s not the case,” Dr Chatigny explains. Other factors, including diet, environmental exposures and uterine complications during pregnancy, can cause it.
Dr Chatigny warns that any evaluation of childhood ADHD should include tests to rule out other mental and medical conditions. Adderall is part of an overall treatment plan that involves psychological, educational and dietary changes, as well as social aspects.
How many children who have ADHD will reach adulthood?
ADHD symptoms in children can change, especially when they reach puberty.
Dr Chatigny explains that many children outgrow ADHD symptoms when their brains develop and they hit puberty. They’re learning new coping skills and improving their cognitive abilities, so their ADHD ‘washes’ out.
About 60 per cent of ADHD children will continue to show some ADHD symptoms into adulthood. About 4 per cent of adult sufferers are diagnosed with ADHD, but few receive treatment. Adults with ADHD usually show signs of distraction or inattention.
Dr Chatigny states that adult ADHD symptoms can be milder than those in children. Children with ADHD may have difficulty focusing, staying organized, and performing tasks. Adults are more likely than children to have problems with impulsive/aggressive behaviours, such as acting out and being unable to sit still.
How can I tell whether Adderall works?
Adderall is unlikely to make all symptoms of ADHD disappear, but it will work if some symptoms, like staying focused and completing a task improve. Adderall could be helping if someone with ADHD reports that they’re doing better in school or work.
Dr Chatigny states that “Adderall reduces symptoms of ADHD for about 80 per cent” of his pediatric patients. Children with ADHD have a “paradoxical reaction” to the medication. It calms them down and improves their focus.
Buying Adderall Online can cause euphoria, increased energy, and even dangerous side effects in people without ADHD.
What are the common side effects of Adderall in people with ADHD?
Dr Chatigny says that the most significant risk and side effects are when the medication is misused or the user exceeds the prescribed dosage.
Stimulants may increase your heart rate or anxiety. If you have high blood pressure, seizures, heart disease, glaucoma, liver, or kidney or liver disease, it is essential to tell your doctor before taking any stimulant.
Can a person with ADHD take a non-stimulant medication instead of Adderall?
Dr Chatigny believes that brand-name drugs such as Strattera and Wellbutrin can be used to treat ADHD.
“Non-stimulant medicines like these and others do not have abuse potential.” “The downside is that they take longer to act,” she says. “Amphetamines such as Adderall start working within 30 minutes or an hour. Strattera, a non-stimulant, can take up to eight weeks to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Dr Chatigny recommends non-stimulant treatments for ADHD patients, particularly adults. This is because stimulants such as Adderall, which are central nervous stimulants, are controlled substances. They’re regulated because of their high potential for addiction, abuse and physical dependence.
