ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants, such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants and Atomoxetine, (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults improve their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from medication to manage your symptoms. Some people might discover that they improve by changing their diet or taking supplements, but they should only be taken under the supervision of a doctor. Other treatments can include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as family counseling. Some adults with ADHD struggle to stay on their medication. They should talk to their doctor and request assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter, while others require the prescription of a doctor.
The majority of the drugs prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine inside your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases concentration. Some of the most popular medications are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause negative side consequences. Some of these side effects could be severe, like cardiovascular issues. Stimulant medication may also cause tics, such as eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth by a few month in children and teenagers.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to people who suffer from adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of heart issues. These are mostly norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These aren't as effective as stimulants, however they are safe and don't carry the potential for abuse that certain people experience with stimulant drugs.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, establishing and adhering to a budget, developing organizational skills, learning more about your disorder and implementing strategies for dealing with your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to learn the best way to manage your condition. You can find many useful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships can be strained by your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by talking to an therapist and attending conflict resolution classes. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you and recognizing that some of your actions are not intentionally mean-spirited.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have profound emotional, social and occupational effects. These include lower academic achievements and higher rates of transfer and job failure, as well as poor performance at work. Additionally, there are more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity between depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common in adults with ADHD. People with comorbid conditions might be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley & Gordon, 2002).
A thorough patient history is essential, since many medical conditions may have symptoms similar to symptoms of ADHD. adhd treatment adults suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorders, sleep apnea thyroid disorders and lead poisoning should be more carefully evaluated. Patients who abuse substances or with particular medical conditions like heart disease or high blood pressure are contraindicated from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their condition and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, particularly those who are frequently viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to teach patients how to organize their time and work and improve their ability to organize their lives. This can help decrease the chance of missing appointments or making decisions impulsively which can lead to issues at work, school or in their personal life. This type of therapy could also improve a person's relationships with their spouse, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help people change their negative behaviors. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of people with ADHD especially when it is combined with family therapy and psychoeducation. Educating patients and their close friends about ADHD can reduce the likelihood of blaming one another for the issues caused by the person's inability to manage his or her own behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts can help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impact on family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medication as well as psychosocial treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change their thinking about their behavior. It also helps patients learn to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with family and friends.
Stimulant medication is used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals, known as neurotransmitters. They've been around for a long time and there are several different kinds of drugs each with its distinct advantages and negative effects. The two most commonly prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine. These are available under a variety of brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other medications that treat ADHD are atomoxetine, which is a stimulant that increases the amount of a substance in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are commonly used to treat ADHD in adults since they have a slower onset than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health issues or have serious side effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can cause ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is also essential to rule out any physical causes for the symptoms, like thyroid disorders or problems with hearing and vision.
It's also important to note that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by altering their diet. However, it's essential to seek medical advice prior to eliminating any food items, as this can cause nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the help of a doctor or dietician. Another option is counseling, which helps patients manage their symptoms and develop stronger relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behavior is not necessarily indicative of lack of love or willful infractions.
Education
Patients and doctors alike can be confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD, and certain medications and medical conditions may cause symptoms that mimic ADHD.
Many of these issues can be addressed with treatments or lifestyle adjustments. Someone suffering from ADHD may benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him how to manage distractions, impulsiveness and increase his concentration. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice, both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical exam are essential. A physician can also test for sleep apnea and other conditions like problems with vision and hearing, thyroid disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, and lead poisoning. In addition to determining if there is a possibility of an underlying cause these evaluations can assist in determining or limit the effects of other conditions that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD the most commonly prescribed medications are stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, including methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can reduce an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but might take longer to effect and can cause negative side effects, such as heartburn, constipation, and low sexual desire.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late to work and make irrational choices which can stress even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy and classes that focus on improving communication skills can help sufferers develop stable relationships.
Exercise, diet and stress reduction all be a factor in managing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have discovered that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is essential to consult with a physician prior to trying any of these therapies. Making these decisions without a physician's advice could result in nutritional deficiencies and health issues.