Medication For ADHD It's Not As Hard As You Think
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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. However, each person reacts differently to different medications, and adverse reactions can be problematic.
Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate the behavior and focus.
Stimulant drugs
Stimulant medications enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80percent of adults and children who take them. They affect neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for several hours. Due to this, experts advise that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a couple of hours, and must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours, and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can cause undesirable adverse side effects like anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to diminish over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. 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. Adolescents and adults misuse stimulants to boost their performance. They can develop addiction when they aren't utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these risks, doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medicine
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the person. These are prescription medications however they do not act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects however, they take longer to work and last only for 24 hours. Most of these drugs operate by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping skills that include managing stress and add adhd medications impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connects people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can get matched to a therapist within 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can assist people suffering from ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, but they do not tackle the root causes. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people techniques to control the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a therapist who is trained. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.