7 Simple Strategies To Totally Enjoying Your ADHD Medication
ADHD Medication
The use of medication is usually part of an ADHD treatment strategy. The most frequently used stimulant medications are methylphenidate as well as dextro-amphetamine. Each of these stimulant medications has many different brand names and each has a distinct chemical makeup.
Stimulants stimulate brain chemicals that help transmit messages between neurons. They are the first drugs that healthcare professionals usually test for adults suffering from ADHD.
Stimulants
Most doctors prescribe stimulants as the primary medication for ADHD. They increase levels of certain brain chemical, norepinephrine, and dopamine. These chemicals help improve concentration, decrease aggressive behavior, and increase peace. Amphetamines, such as methylphenidate or atomoxetine (which is part of the class of antidepressants known as selective norepinephrine-reuptake inhibitors) are often prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD. Although serious heart complications are not common, doctors will closely monitor those suffering from heart issues when they take stimulants.
ADHD is usually treated most effectively with stimulant medications especially for children and adolescents. These medications boost brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine which help them focus and learn. They also boost energy levels and improve alertness. When taken as prescribed will improve school performance. However, many experts worry that students who take stimulants for prolonged durations can develop a tolerance and begin to need higher doses. They may also trigger adverse side effects, like fluctuations in appetite, trouble sleeping, and anxiety or depression.
Doctors who prescribe ADHD medication usually begin with a low dose and gradually increase it over the course of several weeks. You and your parents will be asked to monitor the effects on you and the benefits of the medication. If the medication doesn't seem to work or has side effects that you aren't able to handle Your doctor may suggest another medication.
The majority of children and adults who use stimulant medication experience at least a few side effects. Most of these are mild and will disappear after several days or weeks when the body is used to the medicine. The most commonly reported adverse effects include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in heart rate.
Certain studies have found that those who use stimulant medication for ADHD are more likely to experience tics which are repetitive sounds or movements like eye blinking or throat clearing. These drugs don't cause tics, but they make them more visible. ADHD medication can cause occasional changes in voice, headaches, stomach upset and, occasionally, increase or decrease blood pressure or heart rate.
A few nonstimulant medications--including Strattera (atomoxetine) and Qelbree (viloxazine)--have been approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. These drugs perform differently than stimulants. They increase the levels of norepinephrine, the brain chemical that helps control attention and impulses. They can reduce depression, anxiety and bipolar symptoms of bipolar disorder. They are less harmful than stimulants but do not work as well to treat ADHD symptoms. Your doctor may recommend you consider one of these drugs for depression or bipolar disorder along with ADHD. adhd medication online may also suggest psychosocial treatments to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.