Do Not Buy Into These "Trends" About Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people suffering from ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when they take medication. But every person reacts differently to different drugs and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate behavior and attention.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant drugs enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80% of children and adults who use them. They affect the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. A lot of experts recommend that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.

Stimant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice a day. They are generally available in short- and long-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and they must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are only taken every week.

These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, including nausea, insomnia and a loss of appetite. They may also make people feel irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and are often managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can change your personality. You may become withdrawn, listless, or more obsessive and rigid. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric problems, including mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are often misused by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they could result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors are very cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medication and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.

Non-stimulant medicine

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's best for you depends on your specific requirements. These are prescription drugs, but they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause side effects but can take longer to kick in and last check here for only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new coping techniques such as managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp, a service that offers therapy online connects people with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can be matched with a therapist within 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they do not address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to help the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain instances it is recommended to combine medication and therapy is the best option.