Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from Safest adhd medication have their symptoms improved by taking medication. But every person reacts differently to various drugs and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs referred to as stimulants. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that helps control the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant medication can improve attention and concentration for 70 to 80% of children and adults that take it. They work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They usually cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. Many experts recommend that you begin with a low dose and gradually increase the dose over the course of several weeks.

Stimulant medications are typically taken orally, one or two times a day. They are generally available in long- and short-acting formulas. Short-acting stimulants begin to show their effects after a short time and must be taken 2-3 times per day. Long-acting stimulants last for 8-12 hours and are taken only once a day.

These drugs may cause unwanted side effects, such as insomnia, nausea and a loss of appetite. They can also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and are often controlled by adjusting the dosage. In some cases stimulants can change your personality. You might become more withdrawn and sluggish, or obsessive and rigid. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, such as mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse them to enhance performance. They can develop addiction when they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully evaluate the need for stimulant medication and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications and the most common adhd medication uk effective one depends on the person. These prescription drugs don't affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative side effects, but they can take longer to effect and only last for 24 hours. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can teach people how to deal with the symptoms and learn new strategies for coping, such as managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp is a service that offers therapy online, matches people to licensed therapists who specialize in treating adhd medication and pregnancy uk and other mental illnesses. You can find the right therapist in just 48 hours after completing a no-cost online assessment. Stimulant and non-stimulant medication can help those with ADHD improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they don't address some of the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to control their impulsive behavior. These techniques can be taught by an uk adhd medication coach, or practiced with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the child or adult suffering from ADHD in these areas. In some cases the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the best non stimulant adhd medication for adults option.