Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people suffering from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they use medication. But each person reacts differently to various drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70 to 80% of children and adults who use them. They affect neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually trigger an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which adhd medication is the best lasts for several hours. Due to this, many experts recommend that people start low and build up to the appropriate dose over the course of weeks.

Stimulant medication is taken orally, usually once or twice a day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. They may also make people moody or angry, but these effects generally fade with time and are often controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may change your personality. You could become more introverted, listless, or more focused and rigid. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, such as mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are frequently used by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can lead to addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and which one is most appropriate for you is based on your specific requirements. These are prescription medications however they don't act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less adverse effects, but they can take longer to work and last for only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping strategies like stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy service connects clients with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can take a no-cost assessment and be connected with a therapist in just a few hours. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned through an adhd medication cost uk (https://www.cheaperseeker.com) coach or through practice with a therapist who is trained. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain situations the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the most effective approach.