Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs and side effects can be troublesome.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. adhd for adults medication increases the levels of a brain chemical that regulates the behavior and focus.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70% to 80% children and adults that use it. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for several hours. A lot of experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase your dose over several weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a few hours and are required to be taken three times per day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours and are taken only once per day.
These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea, and a decrease in appetite. They may also make some people feel irritable or moody however, these effects usually fade with time and can often be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like mania and depression.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances that require prescriptions to be obtained. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they could lead to addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of these dangers, doctors are careful to evaluate the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that's most suitable for you is determined by your personal requirements. These prescription drugs do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to kick in and last for only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine in the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Therapy can teach the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new coping strategies, like controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp, a service that offers online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the root causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people strategies to manage their the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a qualified therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In certain cases, a combination between medication and talk therapy may be the best approach.