Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects are sometimes problematic.
Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs known as stimulants. It increases the levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the behavior and focus.
Stimulant medication
Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to 80% of adults and children who take them. They affect the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate which lasts for a long time. Due to this, many experts recommend that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. adhd and depression medication -acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are only taken once per week.
These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea, insomnia and a loss of appetite. Some people can become angry or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, like mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled substances, and require the prescription of a doctor. They are frequently used by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can result in addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of these dangers, doctors must be careful to evaluate the need for stimulant medication and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant medication
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications and the most effective one is dependent on the individual. These prescription drugs don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely cause negative side effects, however, they take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine that is present in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping skills that include controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online connects clients with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can take a no-cost assessment and be an appointment with a therapist within as little as 48 hours. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques to assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain situations, a combination between medications and talk therapy might be the best approach.