ADHD Treatments For Adults
The majority of doctors recommend stimulants such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. They can help regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also may help alleviate symptoms, but they do so slower.
Psychotherapy, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, helps adults to improve their planning and organization skills. Coaching and psychotherapy can also enhance social functioning.
Medications
If you suffer from ADHD and are suffering from it, you could benefit from taking medication to treat the symptoms. Some people might find that they get better by altering their diet or taking supplements, but these should only be used under the supervision of a doctor. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all possible treatments. Many adults suffering from ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should speak to their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications are available for purchase over the counter and some require a prescription.
Most drugs prescribed for ADHD are effective in increasing the levels of dopamine in your brain, which decreases impulsivity and enhances focus. The most commonly used drugs are stimulants like dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate. While they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD, they also have negative side consequences. Cardiovascular problems are some of the more serious side effects. Stimulant medications can also cause tics such as eye blinking or throat clearing. These medications may also delay growth in adolescents and children by several months.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed to those who suffer from adverse reactions to stimulants that are not tolerated or are at risk of developing heart issues. These are mostly norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants but are safe and do not contain the potential for abuse that certain people experience with stimulant medications.
You can attempt to lessen your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, developing the organization skills, learning more about your condition and implementing strategies to manage your symptoms. Talk to a professional about the best methods to manage your disorder. You can also find many useful resources on the site of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your relationships may be strained because of your ADHD symptoms. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and taking classes to learn conflict resolution can be helpful. You can improve your relationships with your spouse or co-workers by letting them know about your ADHD and by telling them that your behavior isn't intentional.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant social, emotional, and occupational effects. This includes lower academic performance and higher rates of job failure and transfer, poor performance at work, more car accidents and higher rates of divorce than the general population (Spencer et al 2007). add treatment for adults between depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Patients with multiple conditions may be less responsive to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
It is essential to take an in-depth background of the patient as many medical conditions can present symptoms that are similar to ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders must be assessed more closely. Patients who are active in their addiction to substances or with certain medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their disorder as well as its effects on different aspects of their lives and relationships. Psychoeducation can help patients boost their self-esteem, especially those who are often stigmatized as inept or unintelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is to improve their ability to organize their lives and teach them how to manage their time. This can help reduce the likelihood of missing appointments or making impulsive decisions which can lead to problems at school, work or in their personal life. This type of therapy could improve the relationship of a person with their children, spouse and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD focuses on helping people to change their behavior patterns that are negative. This kind of therapy is extremely efficient in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when it is combined with psychoeducation for families and family therapy. Informing patients and close friends about ADHD can reduce the tendency to blame one another for problems caused by the patient's inability control his or her behavior. Classes that teach families and couples how to communicate better and resolve conflicts can be helpful.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will focus on the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work and school. It will include stimulant and nonstimulant medications and psychosocial therapy, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps patients change the way they think about their behavior. It also helps patients learn how to manage their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family and friends.
Stimulant drugs used to treat ADHD boost and balance levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are a myriad of types of stimulant medications, all with their own benefits and negative side effects. The two most frequently prescribed stimulants are methylphenidate as well as dextroamphetamine, which are sold under many brand names, including Ritalin and Adderall. Other drugs used to treat ADHD include atomoxetine, which works by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells, and viloxazine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and atomoxetine are both used to treat ADHD among adults, as they have a less gradual development than stimulants. They are also available to those who are unable to take stimulants because of other health issues or suffer from severe side effects.
It is crucial to keep in mind that comorbid conditions can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore, the presence and severity other conditions must be taken into consideration when diagnosing ADHD. It is essential to rule out physical causes of the symptoms, including thyroid disorders, hearing or sight problems.
It's also worth noting that some patients might be able to reduce their ADHD symptoms by changing their diet. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior cutting out any foods which could lead to nutritional deficiencies. It should only be done with the help of a physician or dietician. Counseling can also assist patients deal with their symptoms and improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can also help spouses realize that the patient's behaviors are not necessarily a sign of lack of love or a deliberate act of misconduct.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be a bit confusing for both the patient and the doctor. Other mental disorders can coexist with ADHD and certain medical conditions and medications can also cause symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Many of these problems can be solved with treatment or lifestyle adjustments. For instance, a person suffering from ADHD could benefit from changing their diet or taking supplements to improve their eating habits, for example. Behavioral therapy could help the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, increase his concentration and self-control. A doctor might suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice, both of which can help manage emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms is important, as is a physical exam. A doctor can also examine the patient for sleep apnea and hearing and vision problems, thyroid disorders as well as lead poisoning, alcohol or drug abuse. These evaluations can help to determine the presence of an underlying disorder, but also decrease or eliminate the effects of other disorders that may contribute to ADHD-like behaviors.
Most often, stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. They include dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate, Concerta and Adderall. Nonstimulant medications include clonidine and Guanfacine. These blood pressure medication can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but may take longer to work and have side effects such as constipation, heartburn, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients tend to forget appointments, arrive late to work, and make irrational decisions that can cause stress to even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help patients build solid relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction can all aid in reducing ADHD symptoms. Certain people with ADHD have found that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it's important to consult a doctor prior to attempting any of these treatments. If you try this without consulting a doctor, it could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.