Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from adhd treatment medication find their symptoms improve through medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a substance in the brain that assists in controlling attention and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medication improves attention and concentration for 70 to 80% of children and adults who take it. They work by altering neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Typically, they trigger an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Due to this, experts recommend that patients start low and build up to the appropriate dose over the course of weeks.

Stimulant medication is typically taken orally, one or twice a day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a couple of hours, and must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are only taken every week.

These drugs can trigger unwanted side effects, including insomnia, nausea and loss of appetite. They can also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and can often be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn and sluggish, or rigid and obsessed. They may also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, like depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled substances that require the prescription of a doctor. Adults and adolescents abuse these substances to boost performance. They can develop addiction if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medication

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that is most appropriate for you is based on your individual requirements. These prescription medications do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely have negative side effects, however they may take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help people how to deal with their symptoms, and also develop new strategies for coping, such as stress management or impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat liquid adhd medication uk and other mental health conditions. You can take a no-cost assessment and be matched with a therapist in just a few hours. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can assist people suffering from adhd over the counter medication uk reduce impulsivity and improve their ability of focus, but they do not address the underlying causes. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents so that they can support the adult or child with cheapest adhd medication (homesite) in these areas. In certain cases the combination of medications and talk therapy might be the most effective approach.