Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects are sometimes problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that assists in controlling the attention span and behavior.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant medication improves attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults who take it. They affect the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate which lasts for a long time. Many experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a few hours and should be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can cause unwanted adverse side effects like insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people can become angry or moody. However, these effects usually fade over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In some cases stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, such as depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are often misused by adolescents and adults to achieve performance enhancement, and they could cause addiction if taken in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments, and the best one is dependent on the individual. These medications do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative side effects, however they may take longer to effect and last only for a period of 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can teach people how to deal with the symptoms and learn new coping strategies, like stress management or impulsivity control. medication for adults with add is a service that offers online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. Get a free assessment and be an appointment with a therapist within as little as 48 hours. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help those with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to concentrate however they don't tackle the root causes. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques to help their child or adult with ADHD. In certain instances, a combination of medication and therapy is the best approach.