Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve by taking medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs and adverse effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It works by raising levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of adults and children who take them. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Many experts suggest starting at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a few hours and must be taken 2-3 times a day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken only once per day.

These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. They may also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally diminish over time and can often be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example being withdrawn, unfocused or more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. They are frequently misused by adults and adolescents for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they could result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are a variety of non-stimulant adhd focus medication medications that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the individual. These are prescription medications however they do not affect the same 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. Most of these medications are able to increase the levels 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 adhd medication works to deal with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can find a therapist within 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help those with adhd medication without prescribing And Depression Medication; kingranks.com, reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus however, they do not solve the root cause. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be utilized in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. They can be taught to caregivers and parents to help the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some instances, a combination of medication for inattentive adhd and anxiety and therapy is the best medicine for adhd and social anxiety approach.