Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. But every person reacts differently to various drugs, and adverse reactions can be problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a substance in the brain that assists in controlling the behavior and attention.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70 to 80% of children and adults who take it. They affect the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. This is why many experts recommend that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. The majority are available in short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. Some people can become angry or moody. However medication for adhd uk tend to fade over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may alter your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. medication for add in adults may also raise the risk of other mental health issues, such as depression and mania.
Most stimulants are controlled substances, and require a prescription to be obtained. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They may become addicted if they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of the risks, doctors are very careful to evaluate the need for stimulant drugs and monitor the dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that is most suitable for you is determined by your personal requirements. These medications do not alter the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects, but take longer to act and last for only 24 hours. They work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can teach a person how to cope with their symptoms, and also develop new strategies for coping, such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp, a service that provides online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can get matched to an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques so they can assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain situations the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the most effective approach.