Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms improve with medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It works by raising levels of a chemical in the brain that aids in controlling the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults that use it. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. A lot of experts recommend that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over a period of time.

Stimulant medications are consumed orally, typically once or two times a day. They are generally available in short- and long-acting formulas. 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 only taken every week.

These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. They may also make some people feel irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and can adhd medication help with memory often be managed by adjusting the dosage. In some instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are frequently misused by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they could result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant best medication for inattentive adhd and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medication

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medicines and the most effective one is determined by the person. These are prescription medications however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects, however they may take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. They work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can teach the patient how to deal with the symptoms and learn new strategies for coping, such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. Take a free assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within just a few hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from prescribe adhd medication improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people 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 be taught these techniques to assist their child or adult who suffers from adhd medication options (from the 169 blog). In some cases it is recommended to combine medication and therapy is the most effective approach.