ADHD Medications - Add ADHD Stimulants to Your Treatments
Stimulants raise levels of brain chemicals that control behavior. Doctors often prescribe them to treat ADHD symptoms. They may also use them in treatments for depression or anxiety.
Children and teens who do not take their ADHD medication often experience worse symptoms. It's crucial for them to understand the importance of taking the advice of their doctor.
Stimulants
The most commonly used medication by healthcare providers to treat ADHD in children and adults is stimulants. They are used to increase the levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. This improves focus and decreases impulsive behavior. Around 90% of ADHD sufferers who are taking the right dosage experience fewer ADHD symptoms.
Most stimulants are in the methylphenidate or amphetamine drug classes and are FDA approved to treat ADHD. They are considered the first-line treatment for the disorder because of decades of research showing robust response rates as well as a high degree of tolerability and security across the lifespan as well as a low incidence of adverse reactions. They are not habit-forming and there is no evidence to suggest that they cause a substance abuse disorder. However, if over the counter adhd medication 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.
The drugs are available in different types or formulations. Methylphenidate pills are the most frequently prescribed stimulant for treating ADHD amphetamines and atomoxetine are also available.
Certain long-acting versions of these medications last up to 16 hours and may reduce the requirement for an afternoon or evening dose. They can also help to prevent the rapid changes in blood pressure and heart rates that are common with shorter-acting stimulants. Certain people who take these drugs might suffer from an "crash effect" when they stop taking them. This is characterized by a sudden, sharp reduction in energy.
These medications can cause other side effects, such as upset stomach, appetite suppression and sleep problems. They can also cause dry mouth, mood swings and sleep issues. In rare cases stimulants can cause tics to worsen. For click through the up coming webpage that some adolescents and children who take ADHD medication experience increased eye blinking or throat clearing. These are usually not severe and go away once the body adjusts to the medication. In rare cases ADHD medication can cause young people to be slower growing and shorter than their peers.
Non-stimulant medications require more time to work but they don't generate the same surges of energy. They also can increase focus, attention, and impulse control with time. Since they're not controlled substances they are less likely to be misused or cause substance abuse disorders. However, some may suffer a "crash", or rebound effect, after they suddenly stop using them.
Because ADHD is a complicated condition, healthcare providers usually prescribe several medications and monitor a person's bodily reactions to make sure they are receiving the right amount. This is especially true in the case of a healthcare professional treating a comorbid illness such as depression or anxiety. It is important for a person with ADHD to visit regularly with a psychiatrist on an ongoing basis until they have found the right combination of medications and dosage. If you're looking for a psychiatrist who will assess your mental health and help you decide whether to consider adding ADHD medications, Talkiatry is an online psychiatry practice that can match you with a provider within a matter of days.