Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects can be problematic.
Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant drugs
Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration in 70% to the 80% of adults and children who take them. They affect the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. This is why many experts recommend that people start low and build up to the appropriate dose over the course of weeks.
Stimulant medications are consumed orally, typically once or twice a day. They are generally available in long- and short-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a couple of hours, and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only every week.
These medications can trigger unwanted adverse effects, such as nausea, insomnia and nausea. They can also make people irritable or moody however, these effects usually disappear over time and are usually managed by adjusting the dosage. In adhd depression medication can trigger changes in personality, for example becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other mental disorders, such as depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. adhd medication uk buy online are frequently used by adolescents and adults to achieve performance enhancement, and they can cause addiction if taken improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these dangers, doctors must be careful to evaluate the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant medicines
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medicines and the most effective one is dependent on the person. These prescription drugs do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects, but take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also contain antidepressants like 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 a company that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. Get a free assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can help those with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to concentrate however they don't tackle the root causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced with a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain cases, a combination between medication and therapy could be the best approach.