Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD have their symptoms improved through medication. However, each person reacts differently to different medications, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs known as stimulants. It increases the levels of a chemical in the brain that regulates behavior and attention.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant medications enhance concentration and attention in 70 to 80% of children and adults who take them. They affect the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase the dose over a period of time.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically at least once or twice per day. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a few hours and must be taken 2-3 times a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken once a day.

These medications can trigger unwanted side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. They can adhd medication help with memory (visit the next web site) also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually fade with time and are often managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, like being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, including mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse these substances to boost performance. They can develop addiction when they aren't used properly or as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors are very attentive to determine the need for stimulant drugs and monitor the dosage and effects.

Non-stimulant medication

There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that is most suitable for you is determined by your individual requirements. These are prescription medicines however they do not act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause side effects but can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach a person how does medication for adhd work to cope with the symptoms and learn new strategies for coping, such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists trained to treat adhd and depression medication and other mental health issues. Get a free assessment and get matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people with ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an adhd medication online uk coach, or practiced with a certified therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In certain instances, a combination of medication and talk therapy is the most effective approach.