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Medication For ADHD – What Are the Side Effects? Many people with ADHD find their symptoms improve through medication. But every person reacts differently to various drugs, and adverse reactions can be problematic. Methylphenidate is part of a group of drugs known as stimulants. It increases the levels of a brain chemical that regulates the behavior and focus. Stimulant medications Stimulant drugs improve attention and concentration in 70 to 80% of children and adults who take them. They alter the activity of key neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and norepinephrine. They typically cause an initial increase in blood pressure and heart rate that lasts several hours. Due to this, experts advise that people start with a lower dose and increase it to the recommended dosage over the course of weeks. Stimant medication is taken by mouth, typically every day, either once or twice. There are short-acting and long-acting versions of most stimulants. Short-acting stimulants peak in a few hours, and should be taken twice a day. Long-acting stimulating drugs last 8-12 hours, and are taken only once a week. These medications can cause undesirable side effects, including nausea, insomnia and a loss of appetite. They may also make people feel irritable or moody, but these effects generally fade with time and can often be managed by adjusting the dosage. In certain instances, stimulants can alter your personality. You may become withdrawn, listless, or more focused and rigid. They may also raise the risk of other mental health issues, such as mania and depression. Most stimulants are controlled substances, and require prescriptions to be obtained. best adhd medication for adults uk and adolescents use these substances to boost performance. They can become addicted when they are not used properly or as prescribed. Because of these risks doctors must carefully assess the need for stimulant medications and keep track of the dosage and adverse effects. Non-stimulant drugs There are many non-stimulant ADHD medications, and the best one is determined by the person. These prescription drugs do not affect the same brain chemicals that stimulants do. Non-stimulants are less likely to cause negative effects, but take longer to act and last only for 24 hours. The majority of these drugs are able to increase the levels of norepinephrine in the brain. This includes antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), nortriptyline, and Pamelor. Psychotherapy Talk therapy can help a person learn how to manage symptoms and develop new coping strategies like controlling impulsivity and stress. BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, matches people with licensed therapists who are trained to treat ADHD and other mental health issues. Get a free assessment and be matched with a therapist in just a few hours. Non-stimulant and stimulant medications can help people with ADHD improve their ability to concentrate and reduce impulsivity, but they do not address the root causes of the disorder. Cognitive mindfulness and behavioral therapy can be used in conjunction with therapy to help people learn how to manage their unpredictable behavior. These techniques can be learned by an ADHD coach or by practicing them with a qualified therapist. They can be taught to parents and caregivers to assist the adult or child with ADHD in these areas. In some instances the combination of medications and talk therapy is the best option.