The Best Advice You Could Receive About Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms improve by taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a substance in the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70 to 80% of children and adults who use it. They work by altering the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure which lasts for a long time. A lot of experts recommend 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. They are generally available in short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a couple of hours, and should be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are taken only once per week.

These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. They may also make people feel irritable or moody however these effects typically diminish over time and are often managed by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may change your personality. You might become more withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric issues, such as depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled substances, and require prescriptions to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and adolescents for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can cause addiction if taken improperly or not as prescribed. Because of the dangers, doctors must be cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medications and to monitor dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant medication

There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that is 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 have negative side effects however, they take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help someone learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, a service that offers therapy online, matches people to licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can find a therapist within 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Non-stimulant and here stimulant medications can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach someone strategies to manage their impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques to assist their child or adult with ADHD. In certain cases, a combination between medications and talk therapy might be the best option.