How To Outsmart Your Boss In Medication For ADHD

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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. But each person reacts differently to different drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate behavior and attention.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They affect neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts suggest that you start low and gradually increase the dose over several weeks.

Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and they must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only every week.

These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, including insomnia, nausea and a decrease in appetite. They can also make people moody or angry however these effects typically disappear over time and can often be managed by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You could become more introverted or irritable, or even more rigid and obsessed. They can also increase the risk of other mental health issues, like depression read more and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They can become addicted if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medication

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 are prescription medications, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely cause negative side effects, however, they take longer to work and last only for a period of 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help someone learn how to deal with symptoms and learn new coping skills like controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects clients with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can take a no-cost assessment and be matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these methods to help their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In some cases, a combination between medication and talk therapy may be the best approach.