17 Signs That You Work With Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when taking medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and the side effects can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control the behavior and attention.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70 to 80% of children and adults that use it. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. This is why experts advise that people start low and build up to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically every day, either once or twice. They are generally available in long- and short-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants are most common adhd medications effective after a short time and are required to be taken three times a day; long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken only once every day.

These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea, insomnia and a loss of appetite. Some people can become angry or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In some instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, for example becoming more withdrawn, irritable or more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are frequently misused by adults and teens to achieve performance enhancement, and can cause addiction if taken in a manner that is not approved. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are a number of non stimulant adhd medications for adults-stimulant adhd and anxiety medication medicines that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the individual. These are prescription drugs however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to kick in and last for only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new coping techniques such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online, matches people to licensed therapists who specialize in treating safest adhd medication and other mental illnesses. You can adhd medication help with memory get matched to an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they do not address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers to help the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some instances the combination of medication and therapy is the best option.