Many Of The Common Errors People Make With Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve by taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a substance in the brain that helps control the behavior and attention.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% children and adults that use it. They work by altering the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for a few hours. Due to this, experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the recommended dosage over a period of weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically once or twice a day. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants are most effective after a few hours and should be taken 3 times a day; long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken twice every day.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, including nausea, insomnia and a decrease in appetite. Some people might become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn or irritable, or even more rigid and obsessed. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. They are frequently used by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and they can result in addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's most appropriate for you is based on your specific needs. These are prescription drugs however they do not act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely cause negative side effects, more info but they can take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new coping strategies, like managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp is a company that offers therapy online connects clients with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. Take a free assessment and be matched with a therapist in just a few hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with therapy to help people learn how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a qualified therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain cases, a combination between medication and talk therapy may be the best approach.