Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. But every person reacts differently to different medications and side effects can be troublesome.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.
Stimulant medication
Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to 80% of adults and children who use them. They alter neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts suggest that you start low and gradually increase the dosage over the course of several weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and should be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, and a decrease in appetite. Some people might become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to diminish over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may change your personality. You might become more withdrawn or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, like mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. They are frequently used by adolescents and adults to achieve performance enhancement, and can lead to addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and which one is most suitable for you is determined by your specific needs. These are prescription medicines however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to 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 amount of norepinephrine in the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
adhd in adults medication
Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping skills, such as managing stress and impulsivity. adhd medication adults is a service that provides online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. Take a free assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within less than 48 hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be utilized in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a qualified therapist. They can be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination of medication and talk therapy is the best approach.