The Best Advice You Can Receive About Medication For ADHD
Wiki Article
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve through medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by raising levels of a substance in the brain that assists in controlling the behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70% to 80% of children and adults that take it. They work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. Many experts recommend that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over a period of time.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are most effective after a few hours and must be taken 2-3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours and are taken twice a day.
These medications can trigger unwanted adverse side effects like anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people can become angry or moody. However, these effects usually disappear over time and are able to be controlled by altering the dosage. In some cases, stimulants can cause changes in personality, like being withdrawn, unfocused or more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, like mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled substances and require the prescription of a doctor. Adults and adolescents use these substances to boost performance. They can become addicted when they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these risks, doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medication and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD medicines that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the person. These medications do not alter the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants have fewer negative effects, but take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can teach the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new strategies for coping, such as managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online connects clients with licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. You can be matched with an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist more info the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain cases it is suggested to combine medication and talk therapy may be the most effective approach.