Medication For ADHD: What No One Is Talking About

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs and the adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70 to the 80% of adults and children who take them. They affect neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over a period of time.

medications for adhd uk  are consumed orally, typically once or twice daily. There are short-acting and long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are most effective after a few hours and are required to be taken three times a day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken only once per day.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. They may also make some people feel irritable or moody however these effects typically diminish over time and can often be managed by adjusting the dosage. In some cases, stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, including mania and depression.

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

Non-stimulant medication

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medicines, and the best one depends on the individual. These are prescription medications, but they do not act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects but they can take longer to work and last only for a period of 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach a person how to cope with symptoms, and develop new coping strategies, like controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can be matched with an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease impulsivity, however they do not address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced by a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques to assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain cases it is suggested to combine medication and talk therapy may be the best approach.