Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD have their symptoms improved with medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects are sometimes problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps control the behavior and focus.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant drugs enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80% of adults and children who take them. They affect the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate which lasts for a long time. Many experts suggest that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over the course of several weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are taken only every week.
These medications can cause undesirable side effects, including insomnia, nausea, and a decrease in appetite. medication for add in adults may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to disappear over time and are able to be controlled by changing the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may alter your personality. You may become withdrawn, listless, or more obsessive and rigid. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, such as mania and depression.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. They are often misused by adults and adolescents for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can lead to addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of the dangers, doctors are attentive to determine the need for stimulant drugs and monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medicines
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD medicines and the most effective one is determined by the individual. These are prescription medicines however they do not act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely have negative side effects however they may take longer to work and last only for a period of 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help a person how to cope with symptoms, and develop new coping techniques such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is a company that provides online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. medication for adhd adults can get matched to the right therapist in just 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with therapy to help people learn how to control their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to help the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medications and talk therapy might be the most effective approach.