Notes

Think You're Perfect For Medication For ADHD? Answer This Question
Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD have their symptoms improved through medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps control behavior and attention.

Stimulant medications

Stimulants improve attention and concentration in 70% to 80percent of adults and children who take 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. Many experts suggest that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase your dose over a period of time.

Stimulant medications are taken orally, usually once or two times a day. Most are available in both long- and short-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants peak after a few hours and are required to be taken three times a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours and are taken twice per day.


These medications can trigger unwanted side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite and nausea. Some people may become irritable or moody. However, these effects usually diminish over time and can be controlled by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can cause changes in personality, such as becoming withdrawn, listless or more rigid and obsessive. They can also increase the risk of other mental health issues, such as mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. Adults and adolescents use stimulants to boost their performance. They can develop addiction 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 medications and monitor the dosage and side-effects.

Non-stimulant medicine

There are many non-stimulant ADHD treatments, and the best one is determined by the person. These prescription drugs do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the amount of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to cope with symptoms and learn new coping skills like stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy service, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Take how to treat adhd without medication in adults and get matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. The use of stimulants and non-stimulants can help people with ADHD improve their ability to focus and decrease 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 someone methods to manage impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be taught by an ADHD coach, or practiced by a trained therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In certain instances it is recommended to combine medication and therapy is the best option.

My Website: https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-medication/