Medication For ADHD: 11 Thing You're Not Doing

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% children and adults who use it. They work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Because of this, experts recommend that patients start with a lower dose and increase it to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically every day, either once or twice. There are  adhd medication for adults uk -acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours, and are taken only once per week.

These medications can trigger unwanted side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people might become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually disappear over time and are able to be controlled by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They may also raise the risk of other mental health issues, such as depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription to be obtained. Adults and adolescents use them to enhance performance. They can become addicted when they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these dangers, doctors are cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and which one is most suitable for you is determined by your individual needs. These are prescription medicines, but they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause side effects but can take longer to kick in and last only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain. They also include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help someone learn how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping skills that include controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. Take a free assessment and you'll be matched with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can help those with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to focus, but they do not address the underlying causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with therapy to help people learn how to manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a qualified therapist. They can be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases the combination of medication and therapy could be the best approach.