5 Laws Everyone Working In Medication For ADHD Should Know

Wiki Article

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. But each person reacts differently to different drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs referred to as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical within the brain that assists in controlling the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70% to 80% children and adults that take it. They affect 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. Many experts suggest starting at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimant medication is taken by mouth, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a couple of hours, and they must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once a week.

These drugs may cause unwanted adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. They can also make people feel irritable or moody, but these effects generally fade with time and can often be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You could become more introverted, listless, or more obsessive and rigid. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, including depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse these substances to boost performance. They may become addicted if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Due to these dangers, doctors must be attentive to determine the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and adverse effects closely.

Non-stimulant medicine

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications and the most effective one depends on the person. These are prescription drugs however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer side effects but can take longer to work and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help people how to deal with symptoms, and develop new strategies for coping, such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Take a free assessment and be connected with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the website root causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people methods to manage the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a qualified therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques so they can help their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In some instances the combination of medication and talk therapy is the most effective approach.