Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms with medication. But check here reacts differently to various 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 in the brain that regulates behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication can improve concentration and attention for 70 to 80% of children and adults who 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. Many experts suggest that you start low and gradually increase your dose over several weeks.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and they must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken every week.
These drugs can cause unwanted adverse side effects like nausea, insomnia and nausea. They may also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually fade with time and are usually managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn or irritable, or even more rigid and obsessed. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, including mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. Adults and adolescents use these substances to boost performance. They can develop addiction when they aren't utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these dangers, doctors must be attentive to determine the need for stimulant medication and to monitor the dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant medications
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications and the most effective one is determined by the person. These prescription medications do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants have fewer negative effects, but take longer to kick in and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine that is present in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help someone learn how to deal with symptoms and learn new coping skills that include controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Get a free assessment and get connected with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with therapy to help people learn how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a qualified therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques to assist their child or adult with ADHD. In some cases the combination of medication and talk therapy is the most effective approach.