20 Insightful Quotes On Medication For ADHD
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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve by taking medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It works by raising levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medications improve attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They affect the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for a few hours. This is why experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medications are consumed orally, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions for most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking in a few hours, and should be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours, and are only taken once per week.
These drugs can cause unwanted adverse side effects like nausea, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to disappear over time and are able to be controlled by changing the dosage. In some cases stimulants can change your personality. You might become more withdrawn or irritable, or even more focused and rigid. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, including mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are frequently used by adolescents and adults to achieve performance enhancement, and they could cause addiction if taken in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors are very attentive to determine the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the person. These are prescription medicines however they don't have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause side effects but can take longer to act and last for only 24 hours. Most of these drugs 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 a person how to cope with symptoms, and develop new coping strategies, like controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is a service that offers online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. Get a free assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in less than 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help those with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they do not address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a qualified therapist. more info They can be taught to caregivers and parents to help the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some instances the combination of medication and therapy is the best approach.