Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?
Many people who suffer from ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when taking medication. Each person's reaction to drugs is different, and the side effects can be problematic.
Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs referred to as stimulants. It works by increasing levels of a substance in the brain that assists in controlling the attention span and behavior.
Stimulant medications
Stimulant drugs improve attention and concentration in 70 to the 80% of adults and children who take them. They work by altering the neurotransmitters involved in the brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Because of this, many experts recommend that people begin with a low dose and gradually increase to the optimal dose over a period of weeks.
Stimant medications are taken by mouth, typically at least once or twice per day. There are short-acting as well as long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak within a couple of hours, and must be taken twice daily. Long-acting stimulants last for 8 to 12 hours and are taken only once per week.
These drugs can cause undesirable side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and nausea. Some people might become irritable or moody. However these effects tend to fade over time and can be controlled by changing the dosage. In some cases stimulants can alter your personality. You could become more introverted or irritable, or even more rigid and obsessed. They may also raise the risk of other psychiatric issues, like depression and mania.
The majority of stimulants are controlled substances and require the prescription of a doctor. They are often misused by adolescents and adults for the purpose of performance enhancement, and they can result in addiction if used improperly or not as prescribed. Due to these risks, doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medication and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.
Non-stimulant drugs
There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD treatments, and the best one depends on the person. These medications do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to have negative side effects, however, they take longer to effect and last only for a period of 24 hours. They work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
how to treat adhd without medication in adults
Talk therapy can assist a person in learning how to deal with symptoms and develop new coping skills, such as stress management and impulsivity control. BetterHelp is an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Take a free assessment and you'll be matched with a therapist in less than 48 hours. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help those with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to concentrate however, they do not address the underlying causes. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach a person techniques to control 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 also be taught to parents and caregivers to help the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some instances the combination of medications and talk therapy is the best option.