Stimulants are the gold standard for treating ADHD—your brain’s rapid-response focus and energy boosters. Medications like methylphenidate and amphetamine-based compounds enhance dopamine and norepinephrine signaling in the prefrontal cortex, improving attention, impulse control, and executive function. They provide fast, reliable symptom relief for children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD.
This section guides psychiatric NPs in selecting between short-acting and long-acting formulations, understanding onset and duration, and monitoring for side effects like appetite suppression, sleep disturbance, or mood shifts. It also highlights key considerations for titration, drug holidays, and misuse prevention. With the right stimulant, patients often experience a remarkable transformation in focus, productivity, and self-regulation.