Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms through medication. But every person reacts differently to various drugs and side effects can be troublesome.
Methylphenidate belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant medication
Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70 to 80% of adults and children who take them. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Many experts suggest that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over the course of several weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants are most effective after a short time and should be taken 3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken only once every day.
These drugs can trigger unwanted adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea, and a loss of appetite. They may also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and are often managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, including depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances that require a prescription to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can cause addiction if taken in a manner that is not approved. Because of these risks, doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the best adhd medication for adults one depends on the person. These are prescription drugs, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely have negative side effects however, they take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can teach a person how to get adhd meds Without diagnosis to cope with the symptoms and learn new coping strategies, like stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health conditions. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with therapy to help people learn how to manage their impulse-driven behavior. These methods can a doctor prescribe adhd medication be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these techniques so they can assist their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In some cases it is recommended to combine medication and talk therapy is the best medication for ocd and adhd option.