Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they use medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs and the adverse effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults that take it. They work by altering neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. A lot of experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over the course of several weeks.
Stimulant medications are typically taken orally, one or twice a day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a few hours and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only every week.
medication for add adults can cause undesirable side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, and a loss of appetite. Some people can become angry or moody. However these effects tend to diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can change your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or rigid and obsessed. medication for add in adults can also increase the risk of developing other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescriptions to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and adolescents to achieve performance enhancement, and can cause addiction if taken improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these dangers, doctors must be cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant drugs
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that's most appropriate for you is based on your personal requirements. 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 only last for a period of 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Therapy can help someone learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies, such as managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can get matched to a therapist within 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help those with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced by a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these methods to help their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In certain instances the combination of medication and therapy is the best option.