Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people suffering from ADHD find their symptoms improve through medication. However, each person reacts differently to different medications and adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. click the next web page works by raising levels of a substance in the brain that assists in controlling the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70 to 80% children and adults that take it. They work by altering the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts suggest starting at a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.

Stimant medication is taken by mouth, typically at least once or twice per day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a few hours and must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken every week.

These medications can trigger unwanted adverse side effects like nausea, insomnia and nausea. They may also make some people irritable or moody, but these effects generally fade with time and are often controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They may become addicted if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors are very attentive to determine the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the person. These are prescription drugs however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative side effects, but they can take longer to effect and only last for a period of 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy


Therapy can assist a person in learning how to manage symptoms and develop new coping skills that include managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy service, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health conditions. Get a free assessment and you'll be an appointment with a therapist within less than 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach someone strategies to manage their the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In certain instances the combination of medication and therapy is the best approach.