This Is The New Big Thing In Medication For ADHD

adult add medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD have their symptoms improved through medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs, and adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It increases the levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant medications enhance concentration and attention in 70 to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They alter the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Due to this, experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.

Stimulant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice daily. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a few hours and should be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only every week.

These drugs can trigger unwanted adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. They may also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally fade with time and are often managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, such as being withdrawn, unfocused or more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric problems, including mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances that require prescriptions to be obtained. They are often misused by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and they could cause addiction if taken in a manner that is not approved. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that is most suitable for you is determined by your personal needs. These prescription drugs do not alter the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. 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 levels of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person how to cope with symptoms, and develop new coping strategies, like stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a service that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can find a therapist within 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help those with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, however they do not address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their impulse-driven behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In certain instances the combination of medication and therapy is the most effective approach.