10 Inspiring Images About Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when they use medication. Every person's reaction is different, and the side effects can be problematic.

Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps regulate the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants enhance attention and concentration in 70% to 80percent of children and adults who take them. They alter the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. Because of this, experts recommend that patients start with a lower dose and increase it to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually once or twice a day. They are generally available in short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a short time and are required to be taken three times a day; long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours and are taken once a day.

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 In some instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, for example being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive.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

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are often misused by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medication

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that is most appropriate for you is based on your specific requirements. These are prescription drugs, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects, but they can take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help people how to deal with the symptoms and learn new coping techniques such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online connects clients with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. Get a free assessment and be connected with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can help those with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability of focus however they don't solve the root cause. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined 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. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques to help their child or adult with ADHD. In certain cases, a combination between medications and talk therapy might be the adhd medications for adults best option.