10 Websites To Help You Develop Your Knowledge About Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people suffering from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when taking medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs and adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of medications called stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medication

Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80% of children and adults who use them. They alter neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure which lasts for a long time. Many experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and should be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are only taken every week.

These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In some instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming more withdrawn, irritable or more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled substances that require the prescription of a doctor. Adults and adolescents use them to enhance performance. They can become addicted when they aren't taken in the correct manner or as directed. Because of the risks, doctors are very cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medications and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments, and the best one is dependent on the person.  I Am Psychiatry  do not alter the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects, but they can take longer to effect and last only for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with the symptoms and learn new coping strategies, like managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp is a service that provides online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. You can find a therapist within 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can assist people suffering from ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, but they do not tackle the root causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In some cases the combination of medications and talk therapy might be the best option.