A Provocative Rant About Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from adhd treatment medication experience a reduction in symptoms when they use medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs and the adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a class of medications called stimulants. It works by raising levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant drugs 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, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Many experts recommend starting at a low dose and gradually increase your dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimulant medication is taken orally, usually once or two times 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 should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are only taken once per week.

These medications can trigger unwanted side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people might become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, like mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled substances, and require the prescription of a doctor. They are frequently used by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can lead to addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are many best non stimulant adhd medication for adults-stimulant ADHD medications available, and which one is most appropriate for you is based on your personal needs. These are prescription medications however they don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last for only 24 hours. The majority of these drugs operate by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help a person learn how to deal with symptoms and learn new coping skills, such as managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp is a company that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists with expertise in treating intuitive adhd best medication for anxiety depression and adhd (their website) and other mental conditions. You can find the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease impulsivity, however they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be learned through an adhd inattentive type medication coach or by experimenting with a qualified therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to help the adult or child with natural adhd medication in these areas. In some cases it is suggested to combine medication and talk therapy may be the most effective approach.