A Productive Rant Concerning Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people with ADHD experience a reduction in symptoms when they take medication. Every person's reaction to medication is different, and the side effects are sometimes problematic.

Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical in the brain that helps control behavior and attention.

Stimulant drugs

Stimulant medication improves concentration and attention for 70 to 80% of children and adults that use it. They affect neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. Typically, they 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 several weeks.

Stimant medication is administered by mouth, typically at least once or twice per day. Most are available in both short- and long-acting formulations. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and they must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulants last 8-12 hours, and are only taken once a week.

These drugs can trigger unwanted adverse effects, like nausea, insomnia and a loss of appetite. They may also make people irritable or moody, but these effects generally disappear over time and can often be managed by altering the dosage. In certain instances stimulants can trigger changes in personality, like being withdrawn, unfocused or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric problems, including depression and mania.

The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require prescription. They are frequently used by adolescents and adults to achieve performance enhancement, and can lead to addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.

Non-stimulant medications

There are a myriad of non-stimulant ADHD medications available, and the one that's most suitable for you is determined by your specific needs. These medications do not alter the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants cause less adverse effects, but they can take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine within the brain. They also contain antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Therapy can help someone learn how to cope with symptoms and develop new coping strategies that include managing stress and impulsivity. BetterHelp is a company that provides online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists trained in treating ADHD and website other mental conditions. You can take a no-cost assessment and be matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help those with ADHD reduce their impulsivity and increase their ability to focus, but they do not address the underlying causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to control their unpredictable behavior. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a therapist who is trained. They can also be taught to parents and caregivers so that they can support the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some cases the combination of medications and talk therapy might be the best option.