The Reasons You re Not Successing At Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms through medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that helps regulate behavior and attention.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% of children and adults that take it. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure that lasts for a few hours. Many experts suggest that you start low and gradually increase your dose over several weeks.

Stimulant medications are taken orally, usually once or twice a day. The majority are available in short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours and should be taken 3 times a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken only once every day.

These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, like depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances that require a prescription to be obtained. They are frequently misused by adults and teens for the purpose of performance enhancement, and can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors are very cautious in assessing the need for stimulant drugs and to monitor the dosage and effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are many non-stimulant adhd otc medication treatments, and the best one is determined by the person. These prescription drugs don't affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely have negative side effects however they may take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the levels of norepinephrine within the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies, such as controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Take a free assessment and you'll be connected with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help those with adhd medication for adhd and depression options (click through the next article) improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control an impulsive personality and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an get adhd medication online coach or by practicing them with a therapist who is trained. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In certain situations it is suggested to combine medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.