The Best Tips You'll Receive About Medication For ADHD

Wiki Article

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms improve with medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that aids in controlling attention and behavior.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults who take it. They work by altering the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase the dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a few hours and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only once a week.

These drugs can cause undesirable side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In some cases stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They may become addicted when they aren't utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are many non-stimulant ADHD treatments and the most effective one depends on the individual. These are prescription medicines however they don't get more info act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer side effects but can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help someone learn how to manage symptoms and learn new coping skills, such as stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Take a free assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in just a few hours. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help people with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability of focus however they don't address the underlying causes. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach someone techniques to control impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a therapist who is trained. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In some instances the combination of medication and talk therapy is the best option.