Medication For ADHD: 11 Things You're Forgetting To Do

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people suffering from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms through medication. But each person reacts differently to different medications and adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults who take it. 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. Because of this, experts recommend that patients start low and build up to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks.

Stimulant medication is consumed orally, typically once or two times a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours and must be taken 2-3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken only once a day.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. They may also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually fade with time and are often controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn more info or irritable, or even more rigid and obsessed. They can also increase the risk of other mental health issues, like mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are frequently used by adults and adolescents for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medicine

There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that's most appropriate for you is based on your individual requirements. These are prescription drugs however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. The majority of these drugs operate by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help people how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new coping strategies, like stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can get matched to an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help people with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, but they do not address the underlying causes. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. They can be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some instances it is recommended to combine medication and therapy is the best approach.