Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms through medication. Every person's reaction is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.
Methylphenidate is part of a group of medications called stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical in the brain that helps regulate behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to 80% of children and adults who take them. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. This is why experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the recommended dosage over a period of weeks.
Stimant medications are taken orally, usually once or two times a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. medication for adhd uk -acting stimulants peak after a few hours and should be taken 3 times a day; long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken only once every day.
These drugs can cause unwanted adverse side effects like insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. They can also make people feel irritable or moody, but these effects generally diminish over time and are often managed by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can change your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances, and require the prescription of a doctor. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They can develop addiction if they are not taken in the correct manner or as directed. Due to these risks, doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.
Non-stimulant drugs
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD medications and the most effective one is dependent on the person. These are prescription medicines however they don't act on the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer negative effects, but take longer to work and last only 24 hours. Most of these medications work by increasing norepinephrine levels in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies, such as controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help people with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to 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 manage their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to help the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases it is recommended to combine medication and talk therapy is the best approach.