The 10 Scariest Things About Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with inattentive adhd medication adults experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by raising levels of a chemical in the brain that assists in controlling the behavior and attention.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to the 80% of adults and children who use them. They work by altering the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. A lot of experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase the dose over several weeks.

Stimulant medication is consumed orally, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are only taken once per week.

These drugs can cause undesirable side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. They may also make some people irritable or moody however, these effects usually fade with time and are usually controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can change your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or focused and rigid. They can also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They can develop addiction when they are not taken in the correct manner or as directed. Due to these dangers, doctors are attentive to determine the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant medications

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's most appropriate for you is based on your personal requirements. These prescription medications do not alter the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to work and last only for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach the patient how to deal with the symptoms and learn new strategies for coping, such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists trained to treat concerta adhd medication and other mental health disorders. You can take a no-cost assessment and get matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can assist people suffering from adhd medication weight loss uk reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to concentrate however, they do not address the underlying causes. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced with a certified therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques to assist their child or adult suffering from strattera adhd medication. In some cases, a combination of medications and talk therapy is the most effective approach.