ADHD Treatments For Adults
Stimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate are the first option that doctors recommend. adults adhd treatment help balance the levels of two chemical messengers within the brain. Antidepressants, as well as Atomoxetine (Strattera) are also able to reduce symptoms but work more slowly.
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help adults develop skills to improve organization and planning. Coaching and psychotherapy can help improve social functioning.
Medicines
You can use medications to treat ADHD symptoms. Some people may be able to improve their condition by changing their diet or taking supplements, however these should only be used under the guidance of a physician. Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family counseling are all viable treatment options. Some adults with ADHD struggle to stick to their medication. They should talk to their doctor and ask for assistance. Some medications are available over-the-counter and some require the prescription of a doctor.
The majority of ADHD medications are based on increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. This decreases impulsivity and increases concentration. Some of the most popular drugs are stimulants, like methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. They are believed to be the most effective for ADHD treatment, but they do have side effects. Some of these adverse effects can be severe, like heart problems. The stimulant medication can also trigger symptoms like eye blinking and throat clearing. These medications can also slow growth in adolescents and children by just a few months.
Nonstimulant medications can be prescribed for people who have uncontrollable adverse effects from stimulants or are at risk of heart problems. These medications are primarily dopamine reuptake inhibitors or alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. These medications are not as effective as stimulants, but are safe and do not offer the risk of abuse that some people experience with stimulant medications.
You can decrease your ADHD symptoms by following a schedule, creating and adhering to the strict guidelines of a budget, enhancing your organization skills, gaining knowledge about your disorder and developing strategies to address your symptoms. Talk to a doctor about the best ways to manage your ADHD. You will also find numerous helpful resources on the website of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Association.
Your ADHD symptoms can strain your relationships. You can improve your relationships by talking to a therapist and taking conflict resolution classes. You can also improve your relationships by helping them understand how your ADHD affects you, and also recognizing that some of your actions are not a deliberate act of aggression.
Therapy
ADHD in adulthood can result in significant emotional, social, and occupational repercussions. These include lower academic achievement and higher rates of transfer and job failure, as well as poor performance at work. There are also more car accidents, and higher divorce rates than the general population. Comorbidity of depression, anxiety and addiction to substances is common among adults with ADHD. Those with comorbid disorders may be more difficult to respond to stimulant medications (Barkley and Gordon 2002).
A thorough history of the patient 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 carefully. Patients who abuse substances or those suffering from certain medical conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure are not recommended from receiving stimulant therapy (Greenhill 2001).
Psychosocial therapy encompasses behavioral therapy and psychoeducation for adults with 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, especially those who are frequently viewed as inept or unintelligent.
The goal of behavioral therapy for adults with ADHD, is to improve their ability to organize their lives and teach them better ways to manage their time. This will to reduce the risk of not attending appointments or making impulsive choices which can lead to difficulties at work, school or in their private lives. 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 focuses on helping people to change their behavior patterns that are harmful to them. This kind of therapy can be extremely efficient in improving the performance of those suffering from ADHD particularly when it is combined with psychoeducation and family therapy. Through educating patients and their loved family members about ADHD it can decrease the frequency at which they blame each other for the problems caused by a person's inability to control their behavior. Classes that teach couples and families how to communicate more effectively and resolve conflicts could be beneficial.
Counseling
A successful treatment plan for ADHD will tackle the symptoms and their impacts on the family, work, and school. It will include non-stimulant and stimulant medication, as in addition to psychosocial treatment, notably cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT assists patients in changing their mental outlook on their behavior. It also helps them develop skills 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 have been around for a long period of time, and there are a variety of types of medications each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two most common stimulants are methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine that are available under many different brand names such as Adderall and Ritalin. Other drugs used to treat ADHD are atomoxetine. It works by increasing the amount of a chemical that is present in the brain that transmits messages between brain cells and viloxazine, which is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Viloxazine and Atomoxetine are frequently used to treat ADHD in adults due to the fact that they are less likely to cause symptoms than stimulants. They are also available to people who are unable to take stimulants due to health conditions or severe side effects.
It is important to be aware that comorbidities can mimic ADHD symptoms. Therefore the presence and severity of other conditions should be considered when diagnosing ADHD. It's important to determine the cause of the symptoms, for example thyroid disorders or hearing and sight problems.
Some patients may also be able reduce their ADHD symptoms by making dietary changes. However, it's important to seek medical advice prior cutting out any foods which could lead to nutritional deficiencies. This should only be done with the assistance of a doctor or a dietician. Another option is counseling, which can assist patients in learning to cope with their symptoms and establish better relationships with their families. Counseling can help spouses realize that the patient's behavior is not necessarily a sign they are unloving or malicious.
Education
Both patients and doctors are often confused by the diagnosis of ADHD. Other mental disorders may coexist with ADHD, and certain medications and medical conditions may also produce symptoms that are similar to ADHD.
Many of these issues can be resolved by treatment or lifestyle changes. Someone suffering from ADHD could benefit from taking supplements or adjusting their diet to improve their eating habits. Behavioral therapy could help him to resist distractions and impulsiveness, increase the focus of his mind and develop self-control. A doctor may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or a mindfulness meditation practice, both of which can help control emotions and improve attention.
A thorough history of the symptoms and a physical examination are essential. A doctor can also examine a patient for sleep apnea, hearing and 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 conditions that could cause a patient's ADHD-like behavior.
Most commonly, stimulants are prescribed by physicians for ADHD. These include dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate as well as Concerta and Adderall. Other non-stimulant drugs include clonidine as well as Guanfacine. These blood pressure medications can aid in reducing the impulsivity and hyperactivity, but they can take longer to work and can cause adverse effects like heartburn, constipation, and low sex desire.
ADHD patients are often unable to remember appointments, show up late for work and make uninformed choices that can cause stress to even the most patient family and friends members. Couples therapy or classes that help improve communication skills can help sufferers establish stable relationships.
Diet, exercise and stress reduction all play a role in reducing ADHD symptoms. Some people with the condition have found that cutting out certain foods or taking supplements aids them, but it's important to talk to a doctor before trying these therapies. Doing so without a doctor's guidance could lead to nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.