Medication For ADHD Explained In Less Than 140 Characters
Medication For adhd medication options - what medications are prescribed for adhd Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms with medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is part of a class of drugs known as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that helps control the behavior and focus.
Stimulant medication
Stimulant medication improves attention and concentration for 70 to 80% of children and adults who use it. They affect the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. Due to this, experts recommend that patients begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.
Stimulant medications are typically taken orally, one or twice daily. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants are peaking in a few hours, and must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours, and are taken only every week.
These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, including insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. They can also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually diminish over time and can often be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can trigger changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other mental health issues, such as mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They may become addicted if they are not taken in the correct manner or as directed. Because of these dangers, doctors must be careful to evaluate the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.
Non-stimulant medications
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the one that's most appropriate for you is based on your personal needs. These medications do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants have fewer adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They work by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Psychotherapy
Therapy can teach a person how to cope with their symptoms, and also develop new coping strategies, like controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is a service that provides online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental conditions. Take a free assessment and be connected with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Non-stimulant or stimulant medications can help people with adhd over the counter medication uk (try 58) reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus however they don't tackle the root causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an adhd medication and pregnancy coach or practiced with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the child or adult with adhd medication adderall uk in these areas. In some cases the combination of medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.