How To Outsmart Your Boss With Medication For ADHD

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Medication For ADHD - What Are the Side Effects?

Many people who suffer from ADHD have a decrease in symptoms when they use medication. However, each person reacts differently to different drugs, and side effects can be troublesome.

Methylphenidate is a stimulant. It is a stimulant that increases levels of a chemical in the brain that helps regulate the behavior and focus.

Stimulant medication

Stimulant medications improve concentration and attention for 70 to 80% of children and adults who use it. They alter neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. They usually cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which lasts for several hours. Because of this, many experts recommend that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the appropriate dose over a period of weeks.

Stimant medications are taken by mouth, usually at least once or twice per day. There are both short-acting and long-acting versions of many stimulants. Short-acting stimulants are most effective within a couple of hours and are required to be taken three times a day; long-acting stimulants last between 8 and 12 hours and are taken only once per day.

These medications can trigger unwanted adverse side effects like nausea, insomnia and nausea. They may also make people irritable or moody however these effects typically disappear over time and are often managed by adjusting the dosage. In some instances, stimulants can cause changes in personality, such as becoming more withdrawn, irritable or becoming more rigid and obsessive. They may also raise the risk of developing other psychiatric issues, such as depression and mania.

Most stimulants are controlled substances and require the prescription of a doctor. Adults and adolescents abuse these substances to boost performance. They can become addicted if they are not utilized in a proper manner or according to the prescription. Due to these risks, doctors carefully consider the need for stimulant medications and be aware of the dosage and any adverse effects.

Non-stimulant drugs

There are many non-stimulant ADHD medication options, and the one that's best for you depends on your specific needs. These are prescription medicines however they don't affect more info the same brain chemicals as stimulants. Non-stimulants have fewer negative effects, but take longer to kick in and last only for 24 hours. They are mostly effective by increasing the level of norepinephrine in the brain, and include antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy can teach the patient how to deal with symptoms, and develop new strategies for coping, such as managing stress or controlling impulsivity. BetterHelp, an online therapy service, matches people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health conditions. Take a free assessment and you'll be an appointment with a therapist within just a few hours. The use of stimulants or non-stimulants can help people with ADHD reduce impulsivity and improve their ability to focus, but they do not solve the root cause. In addition to talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapies can teach someone techniques to control impulsive behavior and improve their ability to manage their emotions. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by experimenting with a trained therapist. They can also be taught to caregivers and parents to help the child or adult with ADHD in these areas. In some cases the combination of medication and talk therapy may be the best option.