ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera), can also reduce symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you suffer from ADHD, you can benefit from medication to manage the symptoms. Some people feel better after changing their diets or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all viable treatments. Some adults with ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of medications prescribed for ADHD help by increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which decreases the impulsivity and increases concentration. The most popular drugs are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. These are considered to be the most effective ADHD treatment, however they can cause side effects. Some of these adverse effects can be severe, like heart problems. In addition, stimulants can cause antics, such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by a few months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed for people who have adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of developing heart problems. These medications include dopamine reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine or alpha-2-adrenergic antagonists. They're not as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't have the potential for abuse as certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a well-planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, enhancing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and devising strategies for dealing with your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best strategies to manage your disorder. You will also find numerous useful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships could be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. Talking to a therapist about how you interact with your family members or friends and taking classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your family members or friends by letting them know about your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior isn't malicious.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood has significant emotional, social and occupational consequences for occupational, emotional and social. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of job failure and transfer and poor performance at work. There are also more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. Adults who suffer from ADHD are more likely to be suffering from anxiety, depression, or addiction to drugs. Those with comorbid conditions may have a harder time responding to stimulant medications (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
It is essential to take an extensive background of the patient as many medical conditions can present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients with developmental disorders, seizure disorder sleep apnea, thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more closely. Patients who are active in their addiction to substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant treatment (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder and its effects on their lives. Psychoeducation can also help improve self-esteem in patients who often face stigma, such as being viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The purpose of the therapy for adults who suffer from ADHD, is to improve their ability to organize their lives and help them learn better ways to manage their time. This can reduce the chances of missing appointments or making decisions that are impulsive and could create problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This type of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with their spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adults suffering from ADHD focuses on helping people to change their negative patterns of behavior. This kind of therapy is very effective at improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. The process of educating patients and significant others about ADHD can reduce the likelihood of blaming each other for the problems caused by the person's inability to manage his or her own behavior. Classes that help couples and families how to communicate more effectively and improve their strategies for resolving conflicts can be beneficial.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It should include stimulant and nonstimulant drugs and psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps them develop skills to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant drugs, each with their own advantages and adverse effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine, which are available under a variety of names, such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications that treat ADHD are atomoxetine, which works by increasing the amount of a substance in the brain that passes messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine as well as atomoxetine can be used to treat ADHD in adults, since they have a less gradual onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health problems or who have serious side effects.
It's important to note that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and presence of any other condition must be considered when determining the ADHD diagnosis. It's important to determine the cause of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. It is important to consult with a doctor prior to eliminating any food. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should only be done under the supervision of a physician or dietician. Another option is counseling, which can help patients learn to manage their symptoms and develop better relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily indicative of a lack of affection or willful wrongdoing.
Education
Both doctors and patients are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. It is not uncommon for other mental health conditions to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD.
treating add of these issues can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle adjustments. A person with ADHD may benefit from adjusting their diet or taking supplements to improve his eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy could help him to resist the temptations and impulsiveness that can distract him, improve his focus and develop self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice that can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough medical history and a physical examination are crucial. A doctor can also examine a patient for sleep apnea, hearing and thyroid problems, vision issues or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the existence of a root cause, these tests can help identify or limit the effects of other disorders that might cause an individual's ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD, the most common medications are stimulants, like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Other non-stimulant drugs could include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure drugs that can help with impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they may take longer to begin working and might have negative side effects like heartburn, constipation and low sex drive.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late for work and make irrational choices which can stress even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Exercise, diet, and stress reduction can all be a factor in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements can help them, but it's crucial to talk to a doctor before attempting these treatments. Making these decisions without a physician's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and health issues.