Medication For ADHD: What's New? No One Has Discussed

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical within the brain that aids in controlling the behavior and attention.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant drugs enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80% of children and adults who use them. They affect neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. A lot of experts recommend that you start low and gradually increase the dosage over the course of several weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, typically at least once or twice per day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a few hours and are required to be taken three times a day; long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours and are taken once per day.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are frequently used by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and they could lead to addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors are very careful to evaluate the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that is most suitable for you is determined by your individual needs.  medication for add adults  do not alter the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to kick in and last only for 24 hours. Most of these medications are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach a person how to cope with symptoms, and develop new coping techniques such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp, an online therapy service, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can take a no-cost assessment and you'll be an appointment with a therapist within just a few hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be learned by 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 suffering from ADHD. In some cases the combination of medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.