10 Websites To Help You Develop Your Knowledge About Medication For ADHD
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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people suffering from ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when taking medication. Every person's reaction is different, and the 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 medications
Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to the 80% of adults and children who take them. They work by altering the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in heart rate and blood pressure which lasts for a long time. Due to this, experts advise that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the optimal dose over the course of weeks.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. They are generally available in short- and long-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants peak after a short time and must be taken 2-3 times a day. Long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken twice every day.
These drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants may change your personality. You may become withdrawn, listless, or more rigid and obsessed. They can also increase the risk of other psychiatric problems, including mania and depression.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse these substances to boost performance. They can develop addiction if they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Due to these dangers, doctors are careful to evaluate the need for stimulant medications and to monitor the dosage and side effects carefully.
Non-stimulant medications
There are a variety of non-stimulant ADHD medicines and the most effective one is determined by the person. website These are prescription medications however they don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects but they can take longer to work and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the amount of norepinephrine that is present 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 manage symptoms and develop new coping strategies, such as managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp, a service that offers therapy online, matches people to licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. Take a free assessment and you'll be connected 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 some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be combined with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach or practiced with a certified therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain cases the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the best approach.