Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Every person's reaction 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 helps regulate behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70 to 80% of adults and children who use them. They alter neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.
Stimant medication is administered by mouth, typically every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. adhd medication online -acting stimulating drugs peak within a few hours and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.
These medications can cause undesirable side effects, including insomnia, nausea and a decrease in appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In some instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable or more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, such as mania and depression.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. They are often misused by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors are very careful to evaluate the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant medications
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the individual. These are prescription medicines however they don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to act and last for only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help someone learn how to deal with symptoms and learn new coping skills like stress management and 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 be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person 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 experimenting with a therapist who is trained. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques to help their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In some cases the combination of medication and therapy could be the best option.