Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when they use medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects are sometimes problematic.
Methylphenidate is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that assists in controlling the behavior and attention.
Stimulant drugs
Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70 to 80% children and adults that use it. They affect neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for several hours. Due to this, experts recommend that patients start with a lower dose and increase it to the optimal dose over the course of weeks.
Stimant medication is administered by mouth, typically at least once or twice per day. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a short time and must be taken 2-3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken twice a day.
These drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually fade over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, such as being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, including mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. They are frequently used by adults and adolescents to achieve performance enhancement, and can cause addiction if taken in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.
Non-stimulant drugs
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD medicines that are available, and the one that is most effective depends on the person. medication for adhd do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects, however, they take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. They work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Therapy can help someone learn how to deal with symptoms and learn new coping skills like managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health conditions. You can find the right therapist in just 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they do not address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness 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 with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medication and therapy could be the best approach.