Medication against the symptoms
Most of the drugs used in ADHD belong to the group of so-called psychostimulants. They contain active ingredients that stimulate signal transmission in the brain and thus are supposed to improve mental performance. The most commonly used active ingredient is methylphenidate, which is contained in drugs such as Ritalin® or Medikinet®.
An alternative is provided by various amphetamines that work in a similar way. These stimulating drugs respond in about 80% of patients and are indicated when psycho- and behavioral therapy alone is not sufficient. Unfortunately, stimulants often have side effects such as sleep problems, loss of appetite and many more.
Although these are not serious in most cases, they occur in up to 50% of all treated patients. There are other drugs that are used when the common substances are not sufficiently effective or when the patients suffer from concomitant symptoms of ADHD, e.g. depression. However, these substances were actually developed to treat other diseases and also have side effects. Nevertheless, they can be very effective in individual cases and are prescribed at the doctor’s discretion.
Possible accompanying symptoms
Here you can learn more about accompanying problems. In terms of schooling, these are not only dyslexia but also dyscalculia. On the concentration weakness page you can learn more about the problems that also appear as symptoms in the area of ADHD. – Reading and spelling weakness – LRS
- Dyscalculia
- Lack of concentration
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