Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve with medication. Every person's reaction is different, and side effects can be a problem.
Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a chemical within the brain that helps control the attention span and behavior.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant medication improves attention and concentration for 70 to 80% of children and adults that take it. They affect neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually trigger an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. Due to this, many experts recommend that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medication is taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak within a couple of hours, and they must be taken two times a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can cause unwanted adverse effects, such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people can become angry or moody. However these effects tend to disappear over time and are able to be controlled by changing the dosage. In some instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, like being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse them to enhance performance. They may become addicted if they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors are very cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medication and to monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medicines
There are many non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that's most suitable for you is determined by your individual requirements. These prescription drugs do not alter the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants cause less negative effects, but take longer to kick in and last only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
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Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to manage symptoms and develop new coping strategies like controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp is a service that offers online therapy connects clients with licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. You can be matched with the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people suffering from ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, however they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control the impulsive behavior of their children and increase their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced with a certified therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these methods to assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In some instances, a combination of medications and talk therapy is the best option.