Ten Things You Learned About Kindergarden To Help You Get Medication For ADHD Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?


Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they use medication. But every person reacts differently to different medications and the adverse effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70% to 80% of children and adults who use it. They alter the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. A lot of experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase the dose over several weeks.

Stimulant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice daily. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a couple of hours, and should be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken once per week.

These medications can trigger unwanted adverse side effects like anxiety, insomnia and nausea. They may also make some people irritable or moody however, these effects usually diminish over time and can often be managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

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

Non-stimulant medicine

There are many non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the person. These are prescription drugs however they don't have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects, but they can take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person learn how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can take a no-cost assessment and get matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the root causes of the disorder. adult adhd medication and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a certified therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In certain instances it is recommended to combine medication and therapy is the best approach.