Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and side effects can be a problem.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It works by increasing levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant drugs enhance concentration and attention in 70% to 80% of adults and children who use them. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for a few hours. This is why experts advise that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.

Stimulant medications are consumed orally, typically once or twice daily. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulating drugs peak in a few hours, and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are only taken once per week.

These medications can trigger unwanted adverse effects, such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. They can also make people moody or angry however these effects typically diminish over time and are often managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You read more may become withdrawn or irritable, or even more rigid and obsessed. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. They are frequently misused by adults and adolescents for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can cause addiction if taken improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks, doctors are very cautious in assessing the need for stimulant medications and to monitor dosage and adverse effects closely.

Non-stimulant medication

There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD medicines and the most effective one is determined by the person. These are prescription medications, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants cause less adverse effects, but they can take longer to kick in and last only 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person learn how to cope with symptoms and learn new coping skills like stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health disorders. Get a free assessment and be matched with a therapist in just a few hours. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to control their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced with a certified therapist. Parents and caregivers can learn these methods to help their child or adult who suffers from ADHD. In certain situations, a combination between medications and talk therapy might be the best option.