Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. But each person reacts differently to different drugs and adverse effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that regulates behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication can improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% of children and adults who take it. They work by altering neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. 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 the course of several weeks.
Stimant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice daily. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak after a few hours and should be taken 3 times a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours and are taken only once per day.
adhd for adults medication can cause unwanted adverse side effects like anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example being withdrawn, unfocused or more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, such as depression and mania.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adults and adolescents use them to enhance performance. They can develop addiction if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medication and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the best one is dependent on the individual. These prescription drugs don't affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause side effects but can take longer to kick in and last only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine within 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 their symptoms, and also develop new coping strategies, like stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp, a service that provides online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help people with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to focus however they don't solve the root cause. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In certain instances, a combination of medication and therapy is the best option.