Medication For ADHD It's Not As Hard As You Think
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms with medication. However, each person reacts differently to different medications and the adverse reactions can be problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant medication can improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% children and adults that take it. They alter the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase your dose over several weeks.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. 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 stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken once a week.
These drugs can cause undesirable side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people might become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn and sluggish, or rigid and obsessed. They can also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can cause addiction if taken improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medicine
There are many non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the individual. These prescription medications don't affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants have fewer adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. Most of these medications work by increasing norepinephrine levels in the brain. This includes antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help a person learn how to manage symptoms and develop new coping skills like stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, most effective adhd medication for adults that offers online therapy connects people with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. Get a free assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within just a few hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they do not address the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach someone strategies to manage their the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques so they can assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain cases the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the best option.