10 Things We Hate About Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with adhd medication ritalin notice a decrease in symptoms when they take medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.

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

Stimulant medications

Stimulant drugs improve attention and concentration in 70 to the 80% of adults and children who use them. They work by altering neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate which lasts for a long time. Because of this, experts recommend that patients start low and build up to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.

Stimulant medication is taken orally, usually once or twice a day. They are generally available in long- and short-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and should be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken every week.

These drugs can cause unwanted adverse side effects like anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However the effects typically fade over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, such as becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, including depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can lead to addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these dangers, doctors are careful to evaluate the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.

Non-stimulant medications

There are many non-stimulant adhd focus medication medications that are available, and the one that is most effective depends on the individual. These are prescription medicines however they don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause side effects but can take longer to work and last only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can teach a person how to cope with the symptoms and learn new coping techniques such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp, a service that offers therapy online adhd medication connects people with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can be matched with a therapist within 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be taught by an adhd without medication coach or practiced with a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult suffering from Generic adhd Medications in these areas. In certain cases the combination of medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.