17 Reasons You Shouldn't Ignore Medication For ADHD
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects can be problematic.
Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It increases the levels of a chemical in the brain that helps regulate the behavior and focus.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant drugs enhance attention and concentration in 70% to the 80% of children and adults who take them. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure which lasts for a long time. Many experts suggest starting at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over several weeks.
Stimant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and they must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once a week.
These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea, and a loss of appetite. please click the following page can also make people irritable or moody however these effects typically diminish over time and are usually managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn, listless, or more focused and rigid. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, such as mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled substances that require a prescription to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and adolescents to achieve performance enhancement, and they can cause addiction if taken in a way that is not prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.
Non-stimulant medicine
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medicines, and the best one is determined by the person. These are prescription drugs however they don't act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects but they can take longer to effect and last only for a period of 24 hours. Most of these medications operate by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new coping strategies, like stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform connects clients with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can find the right therapist in just 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination between medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.