Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when they take medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% of children and adults who prescribes medication for adhd take it. They alter neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase the dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimulant medication is taken orally, usually once or twice a day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are most effective after a short time and should be taken 3 times a day; long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken once every day.

These drugs may cause unwanted adverse effects, like nausea, insomnia and a decrease in appetite. They may also make some people moody or angry, but these effects generally disappear over time and can often be managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, best medicine for adhd and social anxiety example becoming withdrawn, listless or more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other mental health issues, such as mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are frequently used by adults and adolescents to achieve performance enhancement, and they can lead to addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of these risks doctors prescribing adhd medication must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are a myriad of non-stimulant which adhd medication is best for me quiz medications, and the one that is most appropriate for you is based on your personal needs. These medications do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants have fewer side effects but can take longer to work and last for only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine in the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can take a no-cost assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within less than 48 hours. The use of stimulants and non prescription adhd medication for adults-stimulants can help those with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they do not address the root causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people techniques to control impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced dealing with adhd without medication a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques so they can help their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain instances it is recommended to combine medications and talk therapy is the most effective approach.