The 10 Most Scariest Things About Medication For ADHD

Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when taking medication. However, each person reacts differently to various drugs and adverse reactions can be problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It works by raising levels of a chemical within the brain that aids in controlling the attention span and behavior.

Stimulant medications

Stimulant drugs enhance attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They alter the activity of neurotransmitters that are essential in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. Many experts suggest that you start low and gradually increase the dose over several weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulating drugs last between 8 and 12 hours, and are taken only once per week.

These drugs may cause unwanted adverse effects, like nausea, insomnia and loss of appetite. They may also make some people irritable or moody however, these effects usually diminish over time and can often be managed by altering the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You might become more withdrawn, listless, or more obsessive and rigid. They can also increase the risk of developing other mental disorders, like mania and depression.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require a prescription. They are frequently misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can result in addiction if used in a way that is not prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medicines that are available, and the one that is most effective is determined by the person. These are prescription drugs however they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative side effects, but they can take longer to work and only last for 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the level of norepinephrine that is present in the brain. They also contain antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can help a person learn how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping skills that include stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp is a service that offers online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists with expertise in treating ADHD and other mental disorders. Take a free assessment and be matched with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help those with adhd medication cost improve their ability to focus and reduce impulsivity, but they do not address the underlying causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with talk therapy to teach people how to manage their impulse-driven behavior. These techniques can be learned through an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to assist the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases, a combination of medications and talk therapy is the best option.