A Productive Rant About Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD – What Are the Side Effects? Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects can be problematic. Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate the behavior and focus. Stimulant medication Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of adults and children who take them. They affect neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for a few hours. Many experts suggest starting at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over the course of several weeks. Stimant medication is administered by mouth, typically every day, either once or twice. They are generally available in long- and short-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants peak after a few hours and must be taken 2-3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken once a day. These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. adhd medication side effects might become irritable or moody. However the effects typically diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example becoming withdrawn, listless or more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania. Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They may become addicted when they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these dangers, doctors are attentive to determine the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and side effects carefully. Non-stimulant medications There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments, and the best one is determined by the person. These prescription drugs do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects, but take longer to work and last only 24 hours. The majority of these drugs work by increasing norepinephrine levels in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor. Psychotherapy Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new strategies for coping, such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is a company that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. Get a free assessment and be connected 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 do not address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medication and talk therapy may be the best option.