10 No-Fuss Strategies To Figuring Out Your Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD notice a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. But every person reacts differently to different drugs and the adverse effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control attention and behavior.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% of children and adults who take it. They alter neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. They typically 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 the dose over a period of time.

Stimulant medications are typically taken orally, one or twice daily. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak after a short time and must be taken 2-3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken once per day.

These medications can cause undesirable adverse effects, like insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. They can also make people moody or angry however, these effects usually fade with time and can often be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You could become more introverted or irritable, or even more obsessive and rigid. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They can become addicted when they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the individual. These prescription drugs do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to kick in and last only for 24 hours. The majority of these drugs are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach people how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new coping techniques such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy service connects people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help people with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to concentrate however, they do not solve the root cause. 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 coach or practiced with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to help the adult more info or child with ADHD in these areas. In certain cases, a combination between medication and therapy could be the most effective approach.