The Best Advice You'll Ever Receive On Medication For ADHD
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that regulates the behavior and focus.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medications enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They work by altering neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually trigger an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Due to this, many experts recommend that people start low and build up to the recommended dosage over a period of weeks.
Stimulant medications are consumed orally, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are only taken every week.
These drugs can cause unwanted adverse effects, such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually fade over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can trigger changes in personality, such as becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like depression and mania.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They can become addicted if they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Due to these dangers, doctors must be cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and effects.
Non-stimulant medicines
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the best one is dependent on the individual. These are prescription drugs, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer adverse effects, but they can take longer to kick in and last only for 24 hours. adult add medications of these medications are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Therapy can teach the patient how to deal with the symptoms and learn new coping strategies, like managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy service connects clients with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health conditions. You can take a no-cost assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within just a few hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can help people with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to concentrate however, they do not address the underlying causes. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person strategies to manage their impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a qualified therapist. They can be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medication and talk therapy may be the best approach.