Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when taking medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects can be problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by raising levels of a chemical within the brain that assists in controlling attention and behavior.
Stimulant drugs
Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults who take it. They affect the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. medications for adhd in adults to this, experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a few hours and they must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are only taken every week.
These medications can trigger unwanted side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can change your personality. You could become more introverted or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescriptions to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and they can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.
Non-stimulant medicine
There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that's most suitable for you is determined by your personal requirements. These are prescription medications however they don't act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to act and last for only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new coping techniques such as managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. Take a free assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in just a few hours. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help people with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability of focus however, they do not tackle the root causes. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people methods to manage the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some instances it is recommended to combine medications and talk therapy is the most effective approach.