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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by raising levels of a substance in the brain that helps control attention and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of adults and children who take them. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. This is why experts advise that people start low and build up to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.

Stimant medications are typically taken orally, one or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and they must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken once per week.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, including nausea, insomnia and a loss of appetite. Some people can become angry or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can change your personality. You might become more withdrawn, listless, or more focused and rigid. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription to be obtained. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They can develop addiction if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of check here these dangers, doctors are careful to evaluate the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant medication

There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments, and the best one is dependent on the person. These are prescription medications, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to work and last only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can teach the patient how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new strategies for coping, such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online, matches people to licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. Take a free assessment and be connected with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help those with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to concentrate however they don't solve the root cause. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to help the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In certain instances, a combination of medications and talk therapy is the best approach.