Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with adhd treatment medication find their symptoms improve by taking medication. But each person reacts differently to different drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate behavior and attention.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They alter the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. A lot of experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase your dose over several weeks.

Stimulant medication is taken orally, usually once or twice daily. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours, and are taken only every week.

These medications can cause undesirable side effects, including insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. They may also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and are often managed by altering the dosage. In some cases, stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, including mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse stimulants to boost their performance. They can become addicted when they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of the dangers, doctors must be cautious in assessing the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant medication

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD treatments and the most effective adhd medication effective one depends on the person. These are prescription medicines however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. non prescription adhd medication uk-stimulants have fewer adverse effects, but they can take longer to work and last for only 24 hours. Most of these drugs operate by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping skills, such as managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp, a service that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists who specialize in treating adhd without medication ADHD and other mental conditions. You can take a no-cost assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within just a few hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can doctors prescribe adhd Medication help those with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus however they don't tackle the root causes. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach someone methods to manage impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques to help their child or adult with adhd medications. In certain instances the combination of medications and talk therapy is the best approach.