ADHD Treatments For Adults
Most doctors recommend stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. They help balance levels of two chemical messengers in the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants can alleviate symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, aids adults improve their organizational and planning skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can improve social functioning.
Medicines
You can take medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people feel better after changing their diet or taking supplements. However, these should only ever be administered under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatments. Certain adults with ADHD struggle to adhere to medication, but they should talk to their doctors and ask for assistance. Certain medications are available over the counter, while others require prescriptions.
The majority of the medicines prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine within your brain, which reduces the impulsivity and increases focus. Some of the most common medications are stimulants such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and others. Although adhd treatment in adults are considered the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have negative side effects. Some of these side effects can be serious, for instance, cardiovascular issues. Stimulant medication may also cause the appearance of tics, like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth by a few months in teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant drugs are often prescribed to those who suffer from intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors and norepinephrine or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not have the abuse potential that some people experience when taking stimulant medication.
You can lessen your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and sticking to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organizational skills, learning about your condition and implementing strategies to address your symptoms. It is important to speak with an expert to find out the best approach to managing your condition, and you will find plenty of helpful resources on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your relationships may be strained by your ADHD symptoms. You can improve your relationships by talking to an therapist and attending classes in conflict resolution. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by having them understand your ADHD and making them aware that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can have significant emotional, social and occupational consequences. This includes lower academic performance as well as higher rates of job loss and transfer, and poor performance at work. Additionally, there are more car accidents and higher divorce rates than the general population. The comorbidity of anxiety, depression and addiction to drugs is common among adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A thorough patient history is vital, as many medical conditions may have symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Patients suffering from developmental disorders, seizure disorder sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders should be evaluated more closely. The use of stimulants is not recommended for patients who are addicted to drugs or in those with certain medical conditions, including heart disease and high blood pressure tachycardia and arrhythmias (Greenhill 2001).).
Psychosocial therapy includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD. Psychoeducation involves teaching patients about their disorder and its impact on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as inept or unintelligent.
Behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD is designed to help patients learn how to organize their time and work as well as improving their ability to organize their lives. This can help to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making impulsive choices that could cause issues at work, school or in their personal life. This kind of therapy can aid in improving the effectiveness of an individual's interactions with their spouses, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral treatment for adults who suffer from ADHD is geared towards helping individuals change their behaviour patterns. This kind of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD particularly when it is it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. By educating patients and their loved ones about ADHD it will reduce the frequency with which they blame each other for the difficulties caused by a patient's inability manage his or her behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to better communicate and resolve conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A good treatment plan will address the symptoms of ADHD and their impact on school, work and family. It will include both 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 patients learn to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant medications are used to treat ADHD. They balance and boost levels of brain chemicals referred to as neurotransmitters. There are many different types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and negative side effects. The two most commonly used stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate that are available under a variety of brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Viloxazine is a selective reuptake inhibitor. Atomoxetine enhances the amount of a brain chemical that transmits messages between brain cells. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a less gradual development than stimulants. They also are available to people who can't use stimulants due to other health issues or have severe side effects.
It is important to remember that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also important to note that some patients may be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. But it's crucial to seek medical advice before cutting out any food that could result in nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or dietician. Counseling can also help patients deal with their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their families. Counseling can also help spouses understand that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of a lack of affection or willful wrongdoing.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both patients and doctors. It is not uncommon for other mental health disorders to coexist with the disorder. Additionally, certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that mimic those of ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatments or lifestyle modifications. Someone suffering from ADHD may benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy can teach him to better resist distractions and impulsiveness, improve his concentration and self-control. A doctor may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or the practice of mindfulness meditation both of which can help manage emotions and increase attention.
A thorough history of symptoms and a physical exam are crucial. A doctor can also examine patients for sleep apnea, hearing or vision problems, thyroid disorders or lead poisoning as well as alcohol or drug abuse. In addition to determining the existence of a root cause, these evaluations can assist in determining or lessen the effects of other disorders that might cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
If a doctor suggests medication for ADHD The most popular ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts like methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can help with an impulsive and hyperactivity problem, but might take longer to effect and may cause side effects such as constipation, heartburn and low sexual desire.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, show up late for work and make irrational choices that can cause stress to even the most patient of family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes that improve communication skills can help sufferers establish solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction all can help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have found that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is important to consult a doctor prior to attempting any of these therapies. If you do this without consulting with a physician this could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.