ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants, like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first treatment that doctors recommend. They help balance the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Atomoxetine (Strattera) and antidepressants also help to alleviate symptoms, but they work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop strategies to improve their organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can also improve social functioning.
Medicines
If you have ADHD, you can benefit from taking medication to alleviate the symptoms. add and treatment discover that they improve through a change in their diet or taking supplements, but they should only be taken under a doctor's guidance. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), or family counseling are all possible treatments. Certain adults suffering from ADHD struggle to adhere to their medication. They should consult their doctor and seek assistance. Certain medications can be purchased over the counter, while others require a prescription.
The majority of ADHD medications help by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. This reduces impulsivity and improves concentration. The most popular drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. Although they are considered to be the most effective treatment for ADHD however, they can also cause adverse consequences. Cardiovascular issues are among the more serious adverse effects. In addition, stimulants can cause symptoms like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth by a few month for teenagers and children.
Nonstimulant medicines are prescribed for people who have intolerable side effects from stimulants or are at risk of developing heart issues. These are mostly dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants however they are safe and don't have the abuse potential that certain people experience when taking stimulant medication.
You can reduce your ADHD symptoms without medication by following a planned schedule, making and sticking to a budget, developing your organizational skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and devising strategies to manage your symptoms. It is recommended to talk with a professional to learn about the best approach to managing your condition. You can find a wealth of information on the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association website.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. Talking with a therapist about how you interact with your coworkers or spouse and attending classes that teach conflict resolution can help. You can improve your relationships with your coworkers or spouse by helping them understand your ADHD and letting them know that your behavior isn't malicious.
Therapy
ADHD as an adult can have significant emotional, social, and occupational effects. These include lower academic success and more frequent failure to get a job and transfer, poor work performance as well as a higher number of car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population (Spencer and colleagues 2007). Comorbidity of depression, anxiety and addiction to drugs is prevalent among adults suffering from ADHD. Those with comorbid conditions may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medication (Barkley and Gordon, 2002).
A thorough history of the patient is essential, since many medical conditions can manifest similar to those of ADHD. Patients with seizures, developmental disorders sleep apnea, and thyroid disorders need to be evaluated more closely. Treatment with stimulants is not recommended in patients with active substance abuse or those suffering from certain medical conditions, such as heart disease and high blood pressure arrhythmias and tachycardia (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy for adults with ADHD includes psychoeducation and behavioral therapy. Psychoeducation is the process of educating patients about their condition and the effects it has on their lives. Psychoeducation can help patients improve their self-esteem, especially those who are often viewed as being lazy or insufficiently intelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD, is to improve their abilities to manage their time and teach them better ways to manage their time. This can help reduce the risk of missing appointments and making decisions that are impulsive and could result in problems at school, at work or with their personal lives. This type of therapy could help improve relationships with their spouse, children and colleagues.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to help people to change their negative behaviour patterns. This type of therapy can be extremely effective in improving the functioning of people suffering from ADHD especially when combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. The process of educating patients and loved ones about ADHD can help reduce the likelihood of blaming one another for the issues caused by the patient's inability control their own behaviors. Classes that teach families and couples how to better communicate and resolve conflicts could help.
Counseling
A good treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It will include both stimulant and nonstimulant medication and psychosocial therapy, particularly 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 medications are used to treat ADHD. They help to regulate and boost levels of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. There are many different types of stimulant medications, each with their own benefits and side-effects. The two most common stimulants are dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, which are available under many different brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other medications used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It helps by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain that passes messages between brain cells and viloxazine which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults since they have a slower onset than stimulants. They also are available to those who are unable to take stimulants due to other health problems or who have severe adverse effects.
It's important to note that comorbid disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADHD, so the severity and frequency of any other conditions must be considered when determining an ADHD diagnosis. It's also important to rule out any physical causes of the symptoms, like an underlying thyroid disorder or hearing and vision problems.
Some patients may also be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by making changes to their diet. It is essential to consult a physician prior to eliminating any foods. This could lead to nutritional deficiencies and should be done under the supervision of a dietician or doctor. Counseling can also help patients deal with their symptoms, and also improve their relationships with their family. Counseling can help spouses recognize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign that they are unloving or malicious.
Education
The diagnosis of ADHD can be confusing for both doctors and patients. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that resemble ADHD.
Treatment or lifestyle changes can solve a lot of these issues. A person with ADHD may benefit from taking supplements or changing their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help the person to be more resistant to distractions and impulsiveness, improve his focus and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral (CBT) therapy or mindfulness meditation, which can aid in controlling emotions and improve concentration.
A thorough history of the symptoms is important and so is a physical exam. A doctor can also examine the patient for sleep apnea, hearing or thyroid problems, vision issues, lead poisoning and drug or alcohol abuse. In addition to determining the presence of a root cause, these tests can assist in determining or limit the effects of other disorders that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
When a doctor recommends medication for ADHD, the most common ones are stimulants like dextroamphetamine (Ritalin) or amphetamine salts, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall). Nonstimulant drugs might include guanfacine or clonidine, which are blood pressure drugs that can help with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but they might take longer to kick in and may cause negative side effects like constipation, heartburn and low sex drive.
ADHD patients often forget appointments, arrive late for work and make uninformed choices that can cause stress to even the most patient of friends and family members. Couples therapy or classes to improve communication skills can help people build solid relationships.
Diet, exercise, and stress reduction can all help in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with ADHD have found that avoiding certain foods or taking supplements has helped them. However, it is essential to consult with a physician prior to trying any of these methods. If you decide to do this without consulting with a physician, it could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.