Once you have been diagnosed with ADHD by a mental health professional, your doctor is likely to recommend treatment with medication. Medication can significantly reduce your ADHD-related symptoms and make your life much easier. The first choice for medication treatments are stimulant medications. Individuals with ADHD have a low amount of dopamine in the frontal part of their brains. Stimulant medications create dopamine, which decreases the symptoms of the disorder.



Ritalin is the often the first choice of stimulant used by doctors. It has to be taken more often, and has rebound effects that can be unpleasant for some people. Ritalin is offered as a time released version that is called Concerta.

Adderall is the stimulant often preferred by mental health professionals for treating ADHD. It is an amphetamine salt, and is chosen because it is only necessary to take it once to twice a day. Additionally, it is also less harsh to come down off of than other stimulant medications. A time released version of Adderall, called Adderall XR, is also available. Dexadrine is another stimulant medication that works similarly to Ritalin. Doctors' last choice for stimulants is called Cyclert. It is very rarely used because there is a chance of liver toxicity involved. Cyclert is only used if nothing else works and medication is believed to be helpful.

Besides stimulants, there is a fairly new drug called Strattera that works differently than the others. When Strattera was first introduced, it was supposed to be the wonder drug for ADHD. It is not as good as doctors had first hoped, but it is an effective drug for people who do not want to take stimulants. Strattera works like an antidepressant, increasing the level of norepinephrine in your brain when administered over a few days. It also has some antidepressant effects that may be helpful when dealing with both depression and anxiety.

Because of the nature of ADHD, many individuals who suffer from it have issues with anxiety and depression as well. Some decide to take antidepressants along with their other medications to alleviate their symptoms. Commonly prescribed medications for depression and anxiety are called SSRI antidepressants. Popular types of SSRIs are Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Effexor and others. These drugs can be a lifesaver for people who have to deal with mood problems as part of their lives.

It may take a few tries to find the right medication or the right combination of medications. Do not despair if you do not find the right medication immediately. Although this can be very frustrating, luckily, there are quite a few psychotropic drugs out there that can help. Make sure you are working with an educated and qualified professional, and be patient.