How Does ADHD Medication Work?
Medications help to reduce ADHD symptoms by increasing levels of the chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline that pass messages between brain cells. The most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate, atomoxetine and glycine.
Finding the right dosage and medication can be a trial-and error process. Honest, open communication with your doctor is key.
Stimulants
The stimulant drugs prescribed to treat ADHD increase levels of the hormones dopamine as well as noradrenaline. Exactly how they do this is unclear but the result is that memory and attention improve and hyperactivity decreases. However, adhd anxiety medication don't solve ADHD. They are a tool to assist people in a society that is typically not designed to accommodate people with neurodivergent brains.
Most stimulants are controlled drugs and therefore doctors must be able to monitor the user for any adverse effects like sudden drops in energy, a reduction in appetite and shakiness or sleep problems. It can take some time to determine the correct dosage, medication, and treatment. It is important that the person suffering from ADHD regularly visits their doctor.
The effects of stimulant medications differ for children and adults, and dosages differ for both. Doctors may suggest lifestyle modifications to complement the medication and assist people with ADHD develop strategies for managing their symptoms. A psychiatrist social worker or nurse could also be part of the treatment team.
It is normal for mood disorders such as dysthymia and depression to coexist with ADHD. Typically, doctors treat the mood disorder, and then evaluate the ADHD symptoms. This is because the underlying disorder can impact the way the person behaves and it is more beneficial to address the root issue rather than try to treat the symptoms.
While the drugs are effective however, they aren't the only solution and should be used in combination with other treatments such as psychosocial work and parenting training, physical exercise and diet and nutrition counseling. In fact an earlier survey of parents revealed that only 41 percent of them were extremely satisfied with their child's ADHD medications and just 25 percent were extremely satisfied.
Stimulants may have adverse consequences, including addiction and abuse. If they are misused -- injected or smoked, taken in higher-than-prescribed amounts or by people who do not have ADHD, such as methamphetamine (meth) and cocaine, or abused in the form of "bath salts" that contain synthetic cathinones -- the results can be extremely dangerous.
Amphetamines and methylphenidates are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat ADHD. They are also available over-the-counter. adhd and anxiety medication are available in extended-release formulations that can be taken each day in the morning, for between six and eight hours. Many people supplement these medications with immediate-release tablets taken in the mid to late afternoon. The extra tablet helps to fill in the time between when the first medication is fading and stops a sudden drop in motivation and energy. Alongside helping with concentration and focus, some claim that their ADHD meds allow them to sleep at night more easily because the medication calms the racing thoughts that kept them awake prior to. This could be a sign that the medication is effective. Many have reported that the symptoms of ADHD improve as they age.