Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs and adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that regulates the behavior and focus.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant drugs enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80% of adults and children who take them. They work by altering neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate which lasts for a long time. Because of this, many experts recommend that people start low and build up to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and they must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only every week.

These medications can cause undesirable side effects, including insomnia, nausea, and a decrease in appetite. They may also make people moody or angry, but these effects generally disappear over time and are usually controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can change your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or rigid and obsessed. They can also increase the risk of other mental health issues, like depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled substances and require the prescription of a doctor. They are frequently used by adolescents and adults to achieve performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these dangers, doctors are attentive to determine the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and adverse effects closely.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that is most appropriate for you is based on your specific requirements. These are prescription medicines, but they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects but they can take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the amount of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help a person learn how adhd medication works to manage symptoms and develop new coping strategies, such as controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp, a service that provides online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize in treating adhd Medication making it Worse, minecraftcommand.science, and other mental conditions. You can be matched with an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help those with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to focus, but they do not solve the root cause. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a therapist who is trained. Parents and caregivers can be taught these methods to help their child or adult with ADHD. In some cases the combination of medications and talk therapy is the most effective approach.