Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the behavior and attention.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70% to 80% children and adults that take it. They affect the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for several hours. Due to this, many experts recommend that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the optimal dose over the course of weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, typically once or twice a day. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and they must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only every week.
These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, including insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. They may also make some people irritable or moody however these effects typically diminish over time and are usually managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, such as mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription to be obtained. Adults and adolescents use these substances to boost performance. They can develop addiction when they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of adhd in adults medication , doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.
adhd medication adults -stimulant medications
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the person. adhd for adults medication are prescription medications however they don't act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative side effects, however, they take longer to effect and only last for a period of 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Therapy can teach the patient 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 who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can get matched to a therapist within 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they do not address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. They can be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination between medication and talk therapy may be the best option.