Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?<br /><br />Many people with ADHD experience improvements in their symptoms by taking medication. But every person reacts differently to different medications and the adverse reactions can be problematic.<br /><br /><br /><br />Methylphenidate belongs to a class of drugs known as stimulants. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a brain chemical that helps control the behavior and focus.<br /><br />Stimulant medications<br /><br />Stimulant drugs enhance attention and concentration in 70 to 80percent of children and adults who use them. They affect neurotransmitters like norepinephrine or dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial rise in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts for several hours. Because of this, experts recommend that patients start low and build up to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks.<br /><br />Stimant medication is administered by mouth, typically once or twice a day. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/adult-adhd-medication/">adhd medications uk iampsychiatry</a> -acting stimulants are peaking within a couple of hours, and must be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are only taken once per week.<br /><br />These drugs can trigger unwanted adverse effects, like nausea, insomnia and loss of appetite. Some people can become angry or moody. However these effects tend to diminish over time and can be controlled by altering the dosage. In some instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, like becoming withdrawn, listless or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of other mental health problems, including mania and depression.<br /><br />Most stimulants are controlled drugs and require a prescription. Adolescents and adults misuse them to enhance performance. They can develop addiction if they are not taken in the correct manner or as directed. Due to these risks, doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects.<br /><br />Non-stimulant medications<br /><br />There are a number of non-stimulant ADHD medicines that are available, and the one that is most effective depends on the person. These are prescription drugs, but they do not affect the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants are less likely cause negative side effects, but they can take longer to effect and last only for a period of 24 hours. Most of them work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. They also include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).<br /><br />Psychotherapy<br /><br />Talk therapy can teach a person how to cope with their symptoms, and also develop new strategies for coping, such as controlling impulsivity or stress. BetterHelp is a company that offers online therapy, matches people to licensed therapists who specialize in treating ADHD and other mental illnesses. You can get matched to an therapist within a matter of 48 hours after completing a free online assessment. Stimulant or non-stimulant medications can help those with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, but they do not solve the root cause. In addition to talking therapy, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based treatments can teach people methods to manage an impulsive personality and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These methods can be learned through an ADHD coach or through practice with a trained therapist. Parents and caregivers can be taught these methods to assist their child or adult suffering from ADHD. In certain cases the combination of medications and talk therapy might be the best option.<br /><br />