Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when they use medication. But every person reacts differently to different medications, and adverse reactions can be problematic.
Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It increases the levels of a chemical in the brain that helps regulate behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70 to 80% children and adults that take it. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for a few hours. Due to this, experts advise that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking in a few hours, and should be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only once per week.
These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, including insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However the effects typically diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like depression and mania.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can cause addiction if taken in a manner that is not approved. Due to these risks, doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.
medication for adhd in adults -stimulant medicine
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications, and which one is best for you depends on your individual requirements. These are prescription drugs however they don't have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely have negative side effects however they may take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. Most of these drugs work by increasing norepinephrine levels in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help people how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new coping techniques such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp, a service that provides online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can take a no-cost assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in less than 48 hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can help people with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to concentrate however, they do not address the underlying causes. 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 through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques so they can assist their child or adult with ADHD. In some instances the combination of medication and therapy is the best approach.