Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD find their symptoms improve through medication. Every person's reaction to medication given for adhd is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs known as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that regulates the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medication

Stimulants enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80% of adults and children who use them. They alter the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually trigger an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. This is why many experts recommend that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the optimal dose over the course of weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants are peaking in a few hours, and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.

These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to disappear over time and are able to be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable or more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances, and require prescriptions to be obtained. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They can become addicted when they aren't taken in the correct manner or as directed. Because of the dangers, doctors are cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medication and to monitor the dosage and effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are a variety of non-stimulant private adhd Medication cost medications, and the one that is most suitable for you is determined by your personal requirements. These prescription medications don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative side effects, however they may take longer to effect and last only for 24 hours. Most of these drugs are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can teach the patient how to deal with the symptoms and learn new coping strategies, like managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online, matches people to licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can get matched to the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help people with safest adhd medication reduce impulsivity and improve their ability of focus however they don't address the underlying causes. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used 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 by a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination between medication and therapy could be the best over the counter adhd medication for adults approach.