An In-Depth Look Back The Conversations People Had About Medication For ADHD 20 Years Ago
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when taking medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a chemical in the brain that helps regulate behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70% to 80% children and adults who take it. They affect the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for several hours. Because of this, experts advise that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks.
Stimant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice daily. The majority are available in short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a couple of hours, and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are only taken once per week.
These medications can trigger unwanted adverse side effects like anxiety, insomnia and nausea. They may also make some people irritable or moody however, these effects usually disappear over time and can often be managed by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, for example becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled substances that require a prescription to be obtained. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used in a manner that is not approved. Because of these dangers, doctors are cautious in assessing the need for stimulant drugs and monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medication
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that is most appropriate for you is based on your personal needs. These medications do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. medications for adhd in adults -stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to act and last only 24 hours. Most of these drugs operate by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Therapy can teach people how to deal with the symptoms and learn new coping techniques such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a company that offers online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. Take a free assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help those with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be utilized in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a certified therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination between medications and talk therapy might be the most effective approach.