ADHD Treatment:

If your assessment indicates an ADHD or ADD diagnosis, we will work with you to explore all available treatment options, including both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches such as adhd meds for adults

For those for whom medication is clinically indicated, Aspire ADHD provides comprehensive medication management for adult adhd adhd in children. Our goal is to ensure that any prescribed medications are effective, safe, and aligned with your personal treatment goals. 

While medication can be a powerful tool in managing ADHD, it is not mandatory to undergo treatment with us. If you prefer, you have the option to seek treatment elsewhere. At Aspire ADHD, our focus is on providing compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers you to live your best life. 

Please note, we do not currently offer ADHD coaching or therapy, but our providers are committed to helping you find the right resources to complement your treatment. 

In addition to ADHD meds for adults, medication management and non-pharmacological strategies can play a significant role in managing adult ADHD and ADHD in children and adolescents. These approaches include behavioral therapy, which helps individuals develop coping mechanisms and improve organizational skills, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on modifying negative thought patterns. 

Parent training programs can provide families with techniques to manage challenging behaviors, while school accommodations such as individualized education plans (IEPs) can help students succeed academically. Additionally, lifestyle changes like regular physical activity, structured routines, and mindfulness techniques can improve focus and reduce impulsivity. These interventions, used alone or alongside medication, contribute to a comprehensive treatment plan.

Approximately 10 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While there is extensive research on ADHD medication treatments for children, significantly less controlled research has been conducted on medication management for adult ADHD.

As a treatment of ADHD, it has been said that “pills do not substitute for skills.” This means that medication alone is not sufficient to help a person improve his or her problems in areas such as organization, time management, prioritizing and using cognitive aids. 

However, adhd meds for adults improves attention and reduces impulsivity in adults who have been correctly diagnosed with ADHD. Adults with ADHD may also frequently have other conditions such as depression or anxiety that may require additional treatment.

Medication does not cure ADHD; when effective, adhd meds for adults adhd meds for children eases ADHD symptoms during the time it is active. Thus, it is not like an antibiotic that may cure a bacterial infection, but more like eyeglasses that help to improve vision only during the time the eyeglasses are actually worn.

Medications that most effectively improve the core symptoms of ADHD seem primarily and directly to affect certain neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters involved are dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE). Both neurotransmitters appear to play a role in the attentional and behavioral symptoms of ADHD. 

Practitioners cannot know in advance which drug will work best for a particular patient without trying them. To determine the optimal medication and dosage for each individual, healthcare providers typically use an ADHD medication trial. This process begins with a low dose that is gradually increased at 3–7 day intervals until the desired clinical benefits are achieved. Additionally, pharmacogenetic testing can be performed if desired to help identify which ADHD medications may work best based on the patient’s genetic profile.

ADHD Medications Can Be Broadly Categorized Into Two Main Categories: Stimulant and Non-Stimulants

The main difference between stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications lies in their mechanisms of action and the neurotransmitters they primarily affect. Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, improving focus and reducing impulsivity and hyperactivity. Non-stimulant medications, like atomoxetine or guanfacine, primarily affect norepinephrine and are often used when stimulants are not effective or cause significant side effects.

The choice between stimulant and non-stimulant medications should be based on a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional. Factors such as the individual's age, symptom profile, medical history, response to previous treatments, potential side effects, treatment preferences, and the presence of other comorbidities all play a role in determining the most appropriate treatment option.

Psychostimulants herein referred to as "stimulants" are the most widely used adhd meds for adults adult adhd medications for the medication management of ADHD symptoms in adults as well as children and adolescents.   

These medications primarily increase the levels of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the brain.

Mechanism of Action: Stimulants increase dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) levels by promoting release and inhibiting reuptake, enhancing attention, focus, and impulse control.

Brain Regions Impacted:

• Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC): Enhances DA and NE, improving sustained attention, concentration, working memory, impulsivity, and executive functions like time management and problem-solving.
• Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex (VMPFC): Increases DA and NE, improving emotional regulation, impulsivity, emotional self-control, and social cognition.
• Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): Boosts DA and NE, improving sustained attention, reducing impulsivity, and helping regulate behavior in challenging situations.
• Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC): Increases DA and NE, reducing impulsivity and aiding in delaying gratification.
• Basal Ganglia: Primarily increases DA, improving hyperactivity, impulsivity, and motor coordination.
• Medial Prefrontal Cortex (mPFC) and Hypothalamus:  Primarily affects DA and NE in the prefrontal cortex; less understood in the hypothalamus, but may improve depressive symptoms, fatigue, and promote wakefulness.
• Cerebellum: Indirectly affects DA and NE, contributing to motor coordination and attentional control.
• Default Mode Network (DMN): Increases DA and NE, enhancing sustained attention and reducing mind wandering.
• Limbic System: Enhances DA and NE, improving emotional regulation, memory, and motivation.

Several long-acting psychostimulants are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD in adults and are routinely prescribed. The two stimulants most commonly used, methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamines (AMP), are regulated as Schedule II drugs by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) because they have a potential for abuse when not used as prescribed by a medical professional. ADHD medications approved for adults include methylphenidate; Focalin, Focalin XR; Concerta; Daytrana; Metadate CD; and the amphetamines, Adderall XR and Vyvanse.

Short-acting ADHD medications generally last approximately 4 hours; long-acting ADHD medications are more variable in duration—with some preparations lasting 6–8 hours and newer preparations lasting 10–12 hours. Of course, there can be wide individual variation that cannot be predicted and will only become evident once the medication is tried.

Although there is little research on utilizing short-acting and long-acting ADHD medications together, many individuals, especially teenagers and adults, find that they may need to supplement a longer-acting medication taken in the morning with a shorter-acting dose taken in the mid to late afternoon. The “booster” dose may provide better coverage for doing homework or other late afternoon or evening activities and may also reduce problems of “rebound” when the earlier dose wears off.  

Stimulant medications have a fast onset of action, typically within 45 to 60 minutes. Depending on the formulation, their effects can last a few hours to several hours. Medication management for adult adhd, adhd meds for adults should consider current health status and all other concurrent medications. 

Stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall) are highly effective, with 70-80% of individuals experiencing symptom improvement.  

• Mechanism of Action: Primarily affect NE, modulating attention and impulse control, without directly affecting DA levels in the basal ganglia.
• Common Medications: Atomoxetine, Guanfacine, Clonidine, particularly helpful in patients with anxiety, tics, cardiovascular disease, or substance abuse history.
• Efficacy: Less effective than stimulants but useful when stimulants are contraindicated or not tolerated.
• Side Effects: Gastrointestinal issues, headaches, mood changes, cardiovascular effects.

• ADHD medication management: Stimulants are typically more effective for adult adhd hyperactivity but pose risks in patients with heart issues, substance use disorders, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
• Non-stimulants are often preferred for patients with these comorbidities or younger children (<6 years).
• Monitoring: For stimulant use, especially in individuals with cardiovascular risks, an ECG is required. A urine drug screening may be necessary prior to initiating treatment.

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• Email us at contact@aspireadhd.com to schedule an appointment for ADHD testing or ADHD treatment if you have an pre-existing ADHD diagnosis.  
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