Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when they take medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medications enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80percent of children and adults who take them. They alter neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Because of this, experts advise that people start low and build up to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks.
Stimulant medications are consumed orally, typically once or two times a day. There are add adult medications -acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects within a couple of hours and are required to be taken three times a day; long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken only once a day.
These drugs can cause undesirable side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. They can also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and are usually controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may alter your personality. You could become more introverted, listless, or more obsessive and rigid. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are frequently misused by adults and adolescents for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they could result in addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of the dangers, doctors are careful to evaluate the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant drugs
There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's best for you depends on your individual requirements. These are prescription medications however they don't have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely cause negative side effects, but they can take longer to effect and last only for 24 hours. The majority of these drugs are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is a company that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to help the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In certain instances the combination of medication and therapy is the most effective approach.