ADHD Medications - Add ADHD Stimulants to Your Treatments
Stimulants boost the levels of brain chemicals that regulate behavior. Full Write-up prescribe stimulants to treat ADHD symptoms. They may also include them in treatment for depression or anxiety.
Kids and teens who don't take their ADHD medications often have worse symptoms. This is why they must know the importance of following their doctors and their instructions.
Stimulants
Stimulants are among the most popular kind of medication that healthcare professionals use to treat ADHD in adults and children. They are used to increase the levels of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. This allows people to focus more effectively and decreases the tendency to be impulsive. Around 80% of people with ADHD who take the right dose experience fewer symptoms.
The majority of stimulants fall under the methylphenidate or amphetamine drug classes and are FDA approved to treat ADHD. The FDA has approved them as a first-line treatments for ADHD because of decades of research that have shown robust response rates, tolerability, safety, and low adverse effects across the entire lifespan. They are non-habit forming and there is very little evidence to suggest that they cause a substance abuse 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.
These drugs come in different types, or formulations. The most commonly used form of stimulant used to treat ADHD is methylphenidate pills. Amphetamines and atomoxetine as well as amphetamines are also available.
Certain long-acting versions of these medications last up to 16 hours and may decrease the need for a daily afternoon or evening dose. They also can help prevent the rapid increase in blood pressure and heart rate that could be experienced when taking stimulants with shorter durations of action. Some people who use these medications may have what is called a "crash" effect after they stop the medication, which usually results in a sharp decrease in energy and is difficult to deal with.
These medications can also cause other side effects, such as upset stomachs, appetite suppression and sleep problems. They can also cause dry mouth, mood changes and sleep issues. In rare instances, stimulants can cause tics to get worse. Some adolescents and children who take ADHD medication have increased eye blinking, or throat clearing. These symptoms are usually minor, and disappear after the body has adjusted to the medication. In rare instances, ADHD medications can delay growth in young people and make them shorter than their peers.
Non-stimulant medicines are more difficult to use but they don't cause the same bursts in energy. They also help enhance focus, attention and impulse control over time. Since they're not controlled substances they are less likely to be misused or to lead to substance abuse disorders. However, some individuals might be affected by an "crash" or rebound effect, when they suddenly stop using the drugs.
Because ADHD can be a complex condition healthcare professionals typically prescribe multiple medications and track the person's bodily reactions to ensure that they are receiving the correct amount. This is especially true if they are treating a co-occurring condition like anxiety or depression. For this reason, it's important for a person with ADHD to visit an psychiatric specialist on a regular basis until they have found the right combination of medications and dosage. If you're looking for an expert psychiatrist who can assess your mental health and assist you in deciding whether to try add ADHD medications, Talkiatry is an online psychiatry practice that can match you with a specialist within a matter of days.