ADHD Medication Side Effects
If your doctor prescribes ADHD medication for your child or you, you might be afflicted by adverse effects. It could take a while to find the right dosage and medicine for you.
The most frequently used medication to treat ADHD is stimulants. They increase brain chemicals that affect attention and concentration.
Doctors can also prescribe guanfacine (trade names Tenex and Intuniv), and clonidine (Catapres) to decrease the impulsive and tics of those suffering from ADHD. It can take several weeks to effect.
Stimulants
Stimulants are the most common type of medication healthcare providers use to treat ADHD. These drugs boost the brain chemicals known as dopamine and norepinephrine, which help people pay attention and concentrate their thoughts. They also help in decreasing feelings of restlessness as well as impulsivity and aggression. Stimulants are highly regulated, so only trained paediatricians and psychiatrists are able to prescribe them.
The most commonly used stimulants treating ADHD include amphetamines and methylphenidates. These drugs have been available for a long time and boost neurotransmitters in various ways. They are available in a variety of forms, including immediate release capsules and extended-release tablets or capsules. Some are ingested while others are administered by injection. The majority of people choose the extended-release forms of these medications that last from morning to evening and assist in avoiding the "crash" that often happens when they stop taking an inactive stimulant medication that is short-acting.
Non-stimulants
These medications have less effect than stimulants, but can help people focus and control their behaviour. They can be prescribed by a doctor for teens and adults who don't get enough help from stimulants, or to help increase the effects of stimulants on children. Some of these medications are antidepressants, while others are blood pressure medications. They may take a couple of weeks before they begin to work and they do not perform as effectively on their own as stimulants do.
Behaviour therapy
Treatment options for people with ADHD usually involve a combination of medication and behaviour therapy, such as family-based therapy or individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Behaviour therapy is generally more effective than medications alone. Parents and teachers can learn how to encourage positive behaviour and discourage negative behaviour among children with ADHD through an approach to treatment that is based on family. Individual CBT helps those with ADHD to understand how to change their thinking patterns, and to manage their issues better.
Behavioural therapy is particularly useful for children in the early years of ADHD. adult adhd medication uk will help them develop the skills to improve their interactions with other children and cope with social difficulties. It can also help parents understand how to support a child's behaviour and learning at home as well as at school.
Lifestyle changes
These can include dietary modifications, such as cutting out foods high in sugar or artificial colours and flavors. There is no evidence to suggest that these diets help improve ADHD symptoms. Before making changes to your child's diet, you are essential to talk with a doctor.
The side effects of medication
Every medicine can cause side effects. However, the majority of them will go away once your body has adapted to the medication. Some of the side effects can be serious and you should always speak to your doctor regarding them if concerned.
Psychoeducation is an educational program that can help teens, children and adults comprehend their ADHD and how they can most effectively live with it. It can also be beneficial parents and caregivers who struggle with their own concerns having a teenager or child with ADHD.