Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms through medication. Every person's reaction is different, and the side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.
Stimulant medications
Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of adults and children who use them. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as 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 medications are taken by mouth, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a few hours and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only every week.
These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea, and a decrease in appetite. They may also make people feel irritable or moody however, these effects usually fade with time and are often controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may alter your personality. You could become more introverted or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like mania and depression.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are frequently used by adults and adolescents to achieve performance enhancement, and they can lead to addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of these risks, doctors are very cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medicines
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's most suitable for you is determined by your personal requirements. These are prescription medications however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping skills like stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can find the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulsive behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a qualified therapist. add adhd medication can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination between medication and talk therapy may be the best option.