ADHD Medications - Add ADHD Stimulants to Your Treatments
Stimulants boost brain chemicals that regulate behavior. Doctors often prescribe them to treat ADHD symptoms. They can also be prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Children and teens who don't take their ADHD medication often experience worse symptoms. This is why they must know the importance of following their doctors' instructions.
Stimulants
Stimulants are among the most popular type of medication healthcare providers use to treat ADHD in children and adults. They help by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This allows people to focus better and reduces the tendency to be impulsive. Approximately 80% of people who suffer from ADHD who are taking the right dose experience fewer symptoms.
Most stimulants are in the methylphenidate or amphetamine class of drugs and are FDA approved to treat ADHD. They are considered first-line treatments for the disorder because of decades of research showing robust response rates with good tolerability and safety throughout life, and a low rate of adverse effects. They are also not habit-forming and there isn't any evidence that they cause a substance use disorder. However, if they are used in higher-than-prescribed amounts, or by people who don't have ADHD, they can lead to serious side effects and even cause brain changes.
They are available in various forms or formulations. Methylphenidate pills are the most frequently prescribed stimulant used to treat ADHD amphetamines and atomoxetine are also available.
Some long-acting versions of these medications last up to 16 hours, and can reduce the need for an evening or afternoon dose. They also can help prevent the rapid changes in blood pressure and heart rates that are common with shorter-acting stimulants. Some people who are taking these drugs may experience an "crash effect" when they stop taking them. This is typically characterized by a sudden and sharp reduction in energy.
These medications can cause other side effects such as upset stomachs as well as appetite suppression and sleep issues. similar resource site can also cause dry mouth, mood swings, and sleep problems. In rare cases stimulants can cause tics that get worse. Children and adolescents who take ADHD medication experience increased eye blinking, or throat clearing. They are usually minor and will go away when the body adjusts to the medication. In rare instances, ADHD medications can delay growth in young people and cause them to be shorter than their peers.
Non-stimulant medications take longer to begin working however they don't trigger the same sudden bursts energy and can boost concentration, focus and control over time. They're not controlled substances, therefore they are less likely to be misused or cause drug abuse disorders, however some people could cause the "crash" or rebound effect if they suddenly stop taking them.
Due to the complexity of ADHD, healthcare providers prescribe multiple medications and monitor the body's reactions to ensure a person is getting the correct dose. This is particularly true when the healthcare professional is treating a comorbid disorder like depression or anxiety. For this reason, it's essential for people suffering from ADHD to see a psychiatrist on a regular basis until they have found the correct combination of medication and dosage. Talkiatry is an online psychiatry service that connects you with a specialist within a matter of days and can assist you in finding a psychiatrist to evaluate your mental health. They can also help you decide whether you should take ADHD medication.