5 People You Should Meet In The Medication For ADHD Industry
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms through medication. But each person reacts differently to different drugs and adverse reactions can be problematic.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70% to 80% children and adults who take it. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. Typically, they cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure which lasts for a long time. Many experts recommend that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase your dose over a period of time.
Stimant medication is administered by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. The majority are available in short- and long-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants are peaking within a couple of hours, and they must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are taken only once a week.
These drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. They may also make some people feel irritable or moody, but these effects generally fade with time and are usually managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You could become more introverted and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They may also increase the risk of other mental disorders, like mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse them to enhance performance. medication for add in adults can become addicted when they are not used properly or as prescribed. Due to these dangers, doctors are cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medication and monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medication
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments that are available, and the one that is most effective is dependent on the individual. These are prescription medicines however they do not have the same effect on brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer side effects but can take longer to work and last for only 24 hours. The majority of these drugs work by increasing norepinephrine levels in the brain. This includes antidepressants, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) nortriptyline and Pamelor.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping skills that include stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy service connects clients with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after taking a free online assessment. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be utilized in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or through practice with a therapist who is trained. Parents and caregivers can be taught these techniques so they can assist their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In some cases the combination of medication and therapy is the most effective approach.