7 Simple Tricks To Totally Enjoying Your Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve by taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a chemical in the brain that assists in controlling attention and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80percent of adults and children who use them. 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 a few hours. Because of this, experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the optimal dose over the course of weeks.

Stimulant medication is taken orally, usually once or two times a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are peaking in a few hours, and must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are only taken once a week.

These medications can trigger unwanted side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually disappear over time and are able to be controlled by changing the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn, listless, or more focused and rigid. They can also increase the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, such as mania and depression.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adults and adolescents abuse stimulants to boost their performance. They may become addicted when they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Because of these risks, doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medicines

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medicines, and the best one is dependent on the individual. These are prescription medications however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can assist a person in learning how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a service that provides online therapy connects people with licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. Take a free assessment and get an appointment with a therapist within as little as 48 hours. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to here manage their unpredictable behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these methods to help their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In some cases it is suggested to combine medications and talk therapy might be the most effective approach.