The Best Tips You'll Receive About Medication For ADHD
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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 the side effects are sometimes problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by raising levels of a substance in the brain that aids in controlling attention and behavior.
Stimulant medications
Stimulants enhance concentration and attention in 70% to the 80% of adults and children 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 several hours. A lot of experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase the dosage over several weeks.
Stimulant medication is typically taken orally, one or twice a day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking in a few hours, and they must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only every week.
These medications can trigger unwanted adverse effects, such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. They may also make people irritable or moody however these effects typically disappear over time and are usually managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, such as mania and depression.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse these substances to boost performance. They can become addicted if they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Due to these dangers, doctors are careful to evaluate the need for stimulant drugs and monitor the dosage and effects.
Non-stimulant medications
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's best for you depends on your specific requirements. These prescription medications do not alter the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain. They also read more contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping skills, such as stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy service, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Take a free assessment and get connected with a therapist in less than 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and decrease impulsivity, however they do not address the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people techniques to control an impulsive personality and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a therapist who is trained. They can be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In certain instances the combination of medication and therapy is the most effective approach.